“Of Studies” by Bacon
Of Studies indicate a collection
studies that a person achieves in his life. The main motto of studies is
benefits of reading. Reading assists readers to cope with unfavorable
situation. Indeed, reading improves reader wisdom and at the same time cures
suppressed mind. It also provides the right way to read different branches of
knowledge and nicely discusses their benefits. If brief, the main focus of the
essay of how studies assist a reader’s life in various ways.
Studies
serve for delight, for ornament, and for ability
Undoubtedly, studies are a source
of pleasure. They are also replete with an ornament or decorative value. At the
same time, they add to one’s ability. A study of books is effective from three points
of view – source of pleasure, ornament value and one’s ability. The pleasure of
study can be best enjoyed by a life of unfriendliness, aloofness and
retirement. The ornament value of studies lies in enabling a man to be become a
good talker. The ability that a man develops by reading books is helpful to him
in judging business propositions and in handling them.
Crafty
men contemn studies; simple men admire them; and wise men use them
Studies do not find favor with men
who are cunning. Simple men just express an admiration for books and learning.
Wise men are those who make a practical use of their studies. However, studies do not teach a
man own use. In other words, a man may derive knowledge from books, but book
will not teach him how to use that knowledge. The use of knowledge can be
learnt from actual experience. The use of knowledge comes from wisdom based on experience,
and experience lies outside books and is something higher than what the books
provide.
Some books are to be tasted, others to
be swallowed,
and some few to be chewed and digested.
Bacon has pointed out what
kind of books are to be read and how to read them. There are different types of books and
all of them cannot claim same importance. Some books are to be tested only. It
means that some are to be read partly. Some books are to be swallowed. It means
that are books are to be read wholly, but not inquisitively, nor attentively.
Some hooks are to be digested, that is, they should be read with full
attention. There are really good books, which should be read deeply with hard work
and concentration. Those books, which do not have much practical importance,
need not be read with great attention. Only books which contribute greatly
towards the development of human life should be ‘chewed and digested', that is,
they should be read attentively and properly understood. Reading improves the
natural abilities of a man.
Reading maketh a full man; conference a ready man;
and writing an exact man.
Here the writer has given
importance to the usefulness of reading, discussion and writing. Reading,
discussion and writing play a very important role in improving natural power of
man. Though reading a person becomes a full man and by discussion he becomes a
ready man. Then he needs writing, which makes the learner's idea clear and accurate.
At first a man should read carefully, then discuss the ideas, and finally write
them. According to Bacon, every subject influences the mind in its own way.
Every subject serves a definite intellectual purpose. To strength our
intellectual capacity it is essential to study all these subjects, otherwise
our studies will remain incomplete. According to Bacon, the study different
branches of knowledge enables a person to acquire different kinds of knowledge
and trains his intellect in diverse ways. A person should take into consideration
the practical purpose and utility of reading. Some books should not be given
priority according to the value they contain. All books should not receive
equally attention of the reader. Reading should be combined with discourse and
writing. Bacon attaches too much importance to morality and pragmatism.
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