Of Studies

Bacon's “Of Studies” is one of his most popular essays.

The Renaissance influenced the people of Elizabethan Age so greatly that
studies became an essential part of their daily life. In order to attain
limitless knowledge so many of them began to adopt short - cut methods
of reading books. In place of reading bulky books they liked to know
about books by using notes, or extracts made from them by others. Bacon
points out objects and proper ways of studies in the present essay.
According to him the short - cut method should be used to study
unimportant books only. Bacon claims that studies serve not only the
single purpose of increasing knowledge, but also they contribute to
delight, to improve ability and to make our expression impressive. He
warns against the excessive use of studies for in practical life the
importance of natural abilities and practical experience cannot be ignored.
This essay brings to light Bacon's good sense, wit and condensation of
thought. It consists of those thoughts and ideas which Bacon has discussed
in his great work “The Advancement of Learning”. It is Bacon's
comprehensive approach to the subject that he points out the medical
value as well as the disadvantages of studies. It is a representative essay
by Bacon for it brings to light all of his qualities as an essayist. The essay
is full of great ideas, clarity of thought and expression, practical wisdom,
poetic images as well as for and against arguments. The poet uses some
Latin expressions also.
Greatness of Ideas:
Bacon's "Of Studies" is an ideal essay that is full of great ideas. The
Renaissance influenced the people of Elizabethan Age so greatly that
studies became an essential part of their daily life. In order to attain
limitless knowledge so many of them began to adopt short - cut methods
of reading books. In place of reading bulky books they liked to know
about books by using notes, or extracts made from them by others. Bacon
points out objects and proper ways of studies in the present essay.
According to him the short - cut method should be used to study
unimportant books only. Bacon claims that studies serve not only the
single purpose of increasing knowledge, but also they contribute to
delight, to improve ability and to make our expression impressive.
“Studies serve for delight, for ornament, and for ability.”
He warns against the excessive use of studies for in practical life the
importance of natural abilities and practical experience cannot be ignored.
“They perfect nature, and are perfected by experience.”
According to Bacon there should be a positive object of making studies.
We should study not to contradict and challenge or accept whatever is
present in books. It is better to judge and think over that.
“Read not to contradict and confute, nor to believe and take for granted,
nor to find talk and discourse, but to weigh and consider.”
He warns against blind following of books. Besides, all books are not of
equal standard. We should give importance to books according to their
greatness. Only a few books are to be chewed and digested i.e., to read
and understand attentively. All books are not to be read attentively with
labour. It is practical wisdom to give time to books according to their
importance. Mostly books may be read with the help of notes and guide
books or selected pieces made of the subject by other writers. Books of
lower standard may be read with notes. But it will be foolishness to read
important books with the help of notes.
“Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to
be chewed and digested.”
Otherwise notes and guides are like purified water that is tasteless and
devoid of depth. No man feels inclined to drink it more. The same may be
said regarding notes, no reader wishes to read it again while original books
amuse in spite of reading again and again. In this way, Bacon points out
the great importance of original books.
“Some books also may be read by deputy, and extracts made of
arguments, and the meaner sort of books; else distilled books are, like
common distilled waters, flashy things.”
Bacon's greatness of ideas becomes remarkable when he points out how
different subjects affect the character of a reader.
“Histories make man wise; poets witty; the mathematics subtle: natural
philosophy deep; moral grave; logic and rhetoric able to contend.”
Bacon claims that all mental weaknesses can be removed by proper
studies. Studies pass into human character and therefore, all the defects of
mind can be cured by proper study just as proper physical exercise is
useful to remove physical defects. Thus, there is proper treatment of every
mental weakness.
Clear of Thought and Expression:
Bacon's belief in clarity of thought and expression is well exposed in this
essay when he adopts the device of classification. He classifies purposes
of studies in three parts:
“Studies serve for delight, for ornament, and for ability.”
He brings to light not only advantages of studies but also its disadvantages
that appear when studies are used in excess. Too much study for delight
develops idleness; for ornamentation develops artificiality; to take
decision wholly by their rules is a bookish approach becomes the whim
of a learned man. Studies mature natural talent that is perfected by
practical knowledge. Natural talent too requires pruning or trimming.
Books express confusing or contradictory ideas that should be limited by
experience. Wicked people oppose studies, common or foolish people
admire them while wise people use them.
“Crafty men condemn studies, simple men admire them, and wise men
use them.”
Bacon's classification of books on the basis of their importance is
remarkable. He advises the ways of studies according to the value of the
book. He clearly points out that all books are not to be studies attentively.
“Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to
be of wed and digested.”
It makes a clear account of various subjects and their positive effect on
human minds. According to him Histories develop wisdom, poetry wit,
mathematics concentration, natural philosophy depth and moral gravity.
“Histories make man wise: poets witty; the mathematics subtle: natural
philosophy deep; moral grave; logic and rhetoric able to contend.”
Poetic Images:
Bacon uses poetic images to give a poetic touch to his style. In “Of
Studies”, he introduces nature imagery when he claims that natural
abilities are like natural plants that should be ordered by study.
“For natural abilities are like natural plants that need pruning by
study.”
Likewise to classify books on the basis of their importance he uses the
food imagery.
“Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to
be chewed and digested.”
Proverbial Style:
Bacon's great wisdom enables him to express thoughts of universal
importance. When he expresses these thoughts in aphoristic style so many
sentences of the novel seem proverbial. It encourages him to make
proverbial statements. The essay, “Of Studies” for example opens with a
proverbial statement:
“Studies serve for delight, for ornament, and for ability.”
If anybody talks about studies, he refers to this statement necessarily. The
essay is full of such statements that express a general thought which is
true to all.
“To spend too much time in studies is sloth.
For natural abilities are like natural plants, that need pruning by study:
They perfect nature, and are perfected by experience.
Crafty men condemn studies, simple men admire them, and wise men use
them.
Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be
chewed and digested.”
Bacon uses water imagery for notes and guides;
“Some books also may be read by deputy, and extracts made of
arguments, and the meaner sort of books; else distilled books are, like
common distilled waters, flashy things.”
Compendium of Practical Wisdom and Comprehensiveness:
Throughout the essay, Bacon shows his practical wisdom and
comprehensiveness. Generally people give unimportance to either
technical knowledge or practical experience but Bacon recognizes
importance to both and advises to consult an experienced man if the work
is at a small scale, and technically trained or learned man for managing a
work at a large scale. Generally people think studies are always useful but
Bacon advises to avoid excess of studies. He recognises importance of
natural talent, training and practical experience. Generally people think
all books are equally important but Bacon advises to study books
according to their importance. He recognises importance of original texts
and notes. Generally people think that reading is the only way of learning
but Bacon advises to give importance to conference and writing also.
Bacon shows how different subjects affect our mind also.
Comprehensive Arguments:
Bacon is a practical philosopher who does not believe in imposing his
thoughts on others. He gives arguments for and against the subject and
leaves it to the reader to conclude according to his requirement. For
example, he points out advantages as well as disadvantages of studies and
its three purposes.
Studies provide amusement; help in improving effectiveness of speech:
and improve skill and perfection; their main purpose of giving amusement
is when we are alone or taking rest. They give effectiveness to
conversation or discussion. They make perfect in deciding or managing
things. According to Bacon experienced man perform well in special
parts. But suggestions of universal importance, details and management
of business are done best by trained persons. But his discussion does not
end here for incoming lines he warns against the disadvantages of making
excessive use of studies. Bacon points out disadvantages of studies if done
unwisely. Too much study for delight develops idleness; for
ornamentation develops artificiality; to take decision wholly by their rules
is a bookish approach becomes the whim of a learned man. Studies mature
natural talent that is perfected by practical knowledge, Natural talent too
requires pruning or trimming. Books express confusing or contradictory
ideas that should be limited by experience. Wicked people oppose studies,
common or foolish people admire them while wise people use them. How
to use studies is a more important art that is attained by practical
experience. Likewise on the one hand suggests reading of books and on
the others pleads for natural talent. He points out advantages as well as
disadvantages of experienced man. He suggests reading some books with
the help of notes or extracts made by others.