Page 97 - DENG201_ENGLISH_II

Unit 5: Comprehension from Seen Passages

3. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follows: Notes
According to Bacon, there are three uses of studies to man. First of all they provide a healthy
entertainment to the reader when he is sitting within the four walls of his house. Secondly, they
provide good thoughts and phrases to the readers by which they can beautifly their conversation.
Thirdly, the studies of good books make men more able. They sharpen one’s intellect and wisdom.
The use of books for entertainment is chiefly when one is without a friend, away from the hustle and
bustle of the busy city life. Similarly, the things learnt from the books ornate our discourse just as
ornaments add more charm to one’s natural beauty. For ability, the use of studies is in taking decisions
while conducting the business affairs because the well-read persons can manage the business more
wisely. To set the pace, the author gives certain disadvantages of the studies. The excess of studies
gives birth to laziness. The habit of using too many thoughts, phrases, references etc., lerant from
books, leads to affection. And if a scholar never sets aside the rules lerant from a book while taking
decisions about some business affairs, it shows his ecentriority because sometimes the theroretical
pricipales fail in practice.
Everyone in the world is born with certain inherent qualities in him which are just like natural plants.
If natural plants are not trimmed from time to time, they grow in big wild bushes and look ugly.
Similarly, the innate talents needto be disciplined and controlled by studies.But studies should be
supplemented by experience.
Cunning people do not appreciate studies while ordinary people are astonished by the worth of
studies. But only wise men know how to use the knowledge learnt from the books. Books themselves
do not teach their own use only wise and experienced man learns how to use knowledge acquired
through studies. The essayist admonishes a reader and says that books should not be read merely to
disprove or contradict the arguments of others nor to take everything for granted. The intelligent
readers should weigh the arguments and try to examine them.
Bacon discusses the various types of books and the methods of reading them. Comparing the reading
of books to eating of food, he says, that some books which are not very important should be read in
parts just as ordinary food need to be simply tasted. These books have no grave ideas, therefore, they
should be read hurriedly. There are some other books which are also meant for cursory reading just
as some food items can only be swallowed. But there are a few books which contains quite wroth
while and weighty ideas such books be read word for word, carefully and with concentration just as
tasty and nutritive food should be propely chewed and digested. A man of position cannot read all
the books himself hence he reads the summary of some of the books, prepared by his secretary.
Though the charm of the book is lost in this process just as distilled waters become insipid or tasteless.
Reading gives perfection to human mind and heart while writing brings exactness in one’s expression.
Conversation makes a person quick witted and quick tongued, always ready to answer. “Therefore,
a person who writes a little, must have an extraordinary memory; another who has a natural inclination
mostly to keep silent, must have a ready wit since birth. He who has gathered no knowledge thoruhg
studies should be cunning enough to pretend to know those things which he actually does not know.
Books of different subjects affect human beings differently. Reading of the history books makes man
wise by not repeating those mistakes which their forefathers might have committed. Poetry endows
man with imagination, the mathematics makes him subtle, sharp. Reading of moral books makes
man seriou and so on. Bacon thinks that studies pass into the character and can cure many mental
illnesses just as many exercise can set right many physical illnesses. The author cites certain examples
such as bowling is good for the stone and kidneys, shooting is for the lungs and breast, riding for the
head and the like. Therefore, if a person is not able to concentrate, let him study the mathematics
which needs a lot of concentration. The study of philosophy enables one to study the things minutely.
Thus, every mental defect needs the study of a proper subject.
Questions for Comprehension
I. Questions for Short Answers
1. What are the three functions of study according to Bacon?
Ans. According to Bacon studies serve for delight, for ornament and for ability.

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