Francis Bacon

The root of all superstition is that men observe when a thing hits, but not when it misses.

Wise men make more opportunities than they find.

Nothing doth more hurt in a state than that cunning men pass for wise.

A little philosophy inclineth man's mind to atheism, but depth in philosophy bringeth men's minds about to religion.

By indignities men come to dignities.

It is impossible to love and to be wise.

A bachelor's life is a fine breakfast, a flat lunch, and a miserable dinner.

People usually think according to their inclinations, speak according to their learning and ingrained opinions, but generally act according to custom.

Knowledge and human power are synonymous.

The desire of excessive power caused the angels to fall the desire of knowledge caused men to fall.

He that hath knowledge spareth his words.

Knowledge is power.

They are ill discoverers that think there is no land, when they can see nothing but sea.

Imagination was given to man to compensate him for what he is not a sense of humor to console him for what he is.

Hope is a good breakfast, but it is a bad supper.

Antiquities are history defaced, or some remnants of history which have casually escaped the shipwreck of time.

There is a difference between happiness and wisdom: he that thinks himself the happiest man is really so but he that thinks himself the wisest is generally the greatest fool.

When a man laughs at his troubles he loses a great many friends. They never forgive the loss of their prerogative.

He that hath wife and children hath given hostages to fortune for they are impediments to great enterprises, either of virtue or mischief.

The great end of life is not knowledge but action.