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Unit 4 : Francis Bacon–Of Truth: Detailed Study

love falsehood because it produces imaginary pleasure about life. Bacon also examines the statement Notes
of one of the early Church authorities, which severely condemned poetry as the wine of the devils.
Bacon here shows that even the highest art of man—poetry, is composed of lies. He seems to have
compounded the two statements made by two early Christian thinkers. The equation is that, since
the devil or Satan works by falsehood, lies are its food. Poetry tends to be Satanic because it resorts
to falsehood while producing artistic pleasure. Bacon, however, makes a distinction here between
poetic untruth and fascination with falsehood in everyday life. He thinks that poetic untruth is not
harmful, as it does not leave lasting impressions on the mind and character of a person. On the
other hand, the lies, which are embedded in the mind and control and regulate every thought and
action of a person, are harmful. Bacon refers to the Epicurean doctrine of pleasure, beautifully
expressed by the famous poet of that school, Lucretius, who considered the realization of truth to
be the highest pleasure of life. Bacon says that the value of truth is understood by those who have
experienced it. The inquiry, knowledge and the belief of truth are the highest achievements that
human beings can pursue. He amplifies the matter by giving an analogy from the Bible. Bacon
here interestingly comments that, since he finished the work of Creation, God has been diffusing
the light of His spirit in mankind. He supports his argument by referring to the Epicurean theory
of pleasure beautifully expressed by Lucretius who held that there is no greater pleasure than that
given by the realization of truth. The summit of truth cannot be conquered and there is tranquillity
on this peak from which one can survey the errors and follies of men as they go through their
trials; but this survey should not fill the watcher with pity and not with pride. The essence of
heavenly life on this earth lies in the constant love of charity, an unshakable trust in God, and
steady allegiance to truth. At the concluding section of the essay Bacon explains the value of truth
in civil affairs of life. He is conscious of the fact that civil life goes on with both truth and falsehood.
He feels that the mixture of falsehood with truth may sometimes turn out to be profitable. But it
shows the inferiority of the man who entertains it. This is, he says, like the composition of an alloy,
which is stronger but inferior in purity. He then compares this kind of way of life to that of a
serpent, which is a symbol of Satan itself. Bacon finds a striking similarity between the crooked
and mean devices adopted by people and the zigzag movements of a serpent. To clarify his point
more clearly, Bacon quotes Montaigne who said that a man, who tells lies, is afraid of his fellow
men but is unafraid of God who is all perceiving. Bacon concludes his arguments by saying that
falsehood is the height of wickedness, and such that it will invite the wrath of God on Doomsday.

He agrees with St Augustine who criticized poetry as “the wine of error”, and
with Hironymous, who condemned poetry as “the food of demons”.

4.1 Essay–Of Truth

What is truth? said jesting Pilate, and would not stay for an answer. Certainly there be, that
delight in giddiness, and count it a bondage to fix a belief; affecting free-will in thinking, as well
as in acting. And though the sects of philosophers of that kind be gone, yet there remain certain
discoursing wits, which are of the same veins, though there be not so much blood in them, as was
in those of the ancients. But it is not only the difficulty and labor, which men take in finding out
of truth, nor again, that when it is found, it imposeth upon men’s thoughts, that doth bring lies in
favor; but a natural though corrupt love, of the lie itself. One of the later school of the Grecians,
examineth the matter, and is at a stand, to think what should be in it, that men should love lies;
where neither they make for pleasure, as with poets, nor for advantage, as with the merchant; but
for the lie’s sake. But I cannot tell; this same truth, is a naked, and open day-light, that doth not

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