Page 39 - DENG502_PROSE

Gowher Ahmad Naik, Lovely Professional University Unit 3: Francis Bacon—Of Studies: Detailed Study and Critical Analysis

Unit 3: Francis Bacon—Of Studies: Detailed Study and Notes
Critical Analysis

CONTENTS
Objectives
Introduction
3.1 Text-Of Studies
3.2 Critical Analysis
3.3 Summary
3.4 Key-Words
3.5 Review Questions
3.6 Further Readings

Objectives

After reading this Unit students will be able to:
• Understand the essay Of Studies.
• Make the critical analysis of the essay ‘Of Studies’.

Introduction

Of Studies is the first essay of the first collection of ten essays of Francis Bacon which was published
in 1597. But it was revised for the edition of 1612. More than dozen new sentences were added and
some words were also altered. Of Studies is typically Baconian essay with an astonishing terseness,
freshness of illustrations, logical analysis, highly Latinized vocabulary, worldly wisdom and
Renaissance enlightenment.
The purpose of this work is to analyze Sixteen Century Francis Bacon’s essay “Of Studies” by
summarizing its main points and the relevance of its statements to this day. Francis Bacon was an
English Philosopher and writer best known as a founder of the modern empirical tradition based
on the rational analysis of data obtained by observation and experimentation of the physical
world.
Of Studies contains almost all the techniques of Bacon’s essay writing and the world of his mind.
It is full of wisdom, teachings and didacticism. In style, the essay is epigrammatic proverbial form,
of balance and force. It is full of warmth and colour, profound wit and knowledge, experience and
observation.

3.1 Text-Of Studies

Studies serve for delight, for ornament, and for ability. Their chief use for delight, is in privateness
and retiring; for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability, is in the judgment, and disposition of
business. For expert men can execute, and perhaps judge of particulars, one by one; but the
general counsels, and the plots and marshalling of affairs, come best, from those that are learned.
To spend too much time in studies is sloth; to use them too much for ornament, is affectation; to
make judgment wholly by their rules, is the humor of a scholar. They perfect nature, and are
perfected by experience: for natural abilities are like natural plants, that need pruning by study;

LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY 33