Literary Yog

BRITISH NON-FICTION

Of Studies by Francis Bacon: Easiest

Summary, Line by Line Explanation,
and Theme
By Anuj Boruah April 15, 2020 Updated on August 2, 2024

In this blog post on “Of Studies”, I will discuss the following points:

Table of Contents

Of Studies Summary

Studies here mean the collective studies that a person does. The main
idea of “Of Studies” by Francis Bacon is the benefits of studies. Reading
helps readers to cope with diverse situations.

Reading also enhances intellect and cures restraints on the minds of

readers.

The essay provides the proper method for reading different subjects and
discusses their benefits. For instance, history makes men wise; poetry
witty; the mathematics subtle; philosophy deep, etc.
In short, the theme of “Of Studies” is how books benefit a reader
tremendously in different ways.

Line by Line Explanation

Three Important Uses of Studies

At the outset, Francis Bacon states the three beneficial purposes of
studies: delight, ornament, and ability.

The first utility is reading delights the reader. Reading in privateness

and retiring is worthwhile, since it provides immense pleasure.

For instance, if a reader enjoys fiction like Paulo Coelho’sThe

Alchemist. Then the quest for treasure would entertain him. The journey
of Santiago from Andalusia to the pyramid is quite delightful. Thus,
studies not only compensate for boredom but also provide enormous
pleasure to the reader.

The second purpose is it adds ornament to discourse. In a written or

spoken discussion, studies help a well-read person to exhibit his
knowledge more efficiently than an average person does .

For instance, in Of Truth, Of Love, and Of Friendship, Bacon heavily uses

Latin phrases in these essays. It shows his excellence in Latin. Therefore,
Bacon uses it for ornament in his writing.

Studies also improve the judgment ability of a reader and the

arrangement of things. One can be an expert without studies. However,
there is a distinction between an expert and a learned man. An expert
can execute his plan and even judge a situation, but a learned man can
perform better by giving advice, making plans, and managing things.
Therefore, a learned man is better than an expert.

I have discussed an example in the video below.

The Effect of Excessive Studies

In these three ways, studies serve a reader. However, too much study is
dangerous. The reason is excessive readers lead a sedentary lifestyle.
When a reader sits for long, the immobility makes the body sluggish.

Similarly, using decorated words and knowledge excessively in

discourse does the opposite. Too much use of ornaments would show a
learned man ostentatious. Bacon also states that making judgments
based on bookish knowledge is the humor of a scholar.

Consideration and application of the learning without understanding

the practical world are inaccurate. A reader must be able to distinguish
between theory and practical application while judging.

In each situation, Bacon emphasizes excess of anything is unwelcome.

Therefore, a learner must maintain an equilibrium between studying
and other activities, ornament and argument, and theory and practical.

Bacon repeats his principal argument that studies hone human nature
and experience perfects it. Bacon draws an analogy between natural
plants and the natural abilities of a person.

We cut the plants, which could grow in any direction, for growth.

Studies nurture the natural abilities of man. It enhances the

comprehension of the reader. But that remains unfulfilled until the
person gains experience related to the subject of study. It means
knowledge and experience make reading complete.

Views of Studies
Studies benefit a reader in diverse ways. However, not all men admire
it. For instance, crafty men contempt studies. They think it does not help
individuals. They deal with different situations of life without studies.
Therefore, for them, studies are of no use.

On the contrary, simple

men admire studies. The
simple men are aware of
the benefits of studies
and are amazed to see a
knowledgeable man.

On the other hand, wise

men take the best out of
their studies by using
Of Studies by Francis Bacon
theoretical knowledge
practically. Books do not
tell readers about their pragmatic aspects. One gains the ability to
implement knowledge in learning through observation. Bacon
emphasizes that having bookish knowledge is not enough. Our
theoretical information is complete only when we use it in real life.

Real Method of Studies

To get the most out of books, Francis Bacon suggests one method of
study. One should not read to prove others wrong. The reader looks for
points that he can use in an argument. While reading with this motive,
the reader loses what the book offers.
The reader must not also believe what the book says or take everything
every word for granted. This approach is also problematic because
instead of using his mind, the reader does nothing except imbibe the
knowledge theoretically.

A reader should not also read just for discourse. He will be concerned
about the points that he can use in the discussion. As a result, learning
becomes superficial.

Contrary to these approaches, a reader should try to comprehend the

message or argument/s of the writer. For example, while
reading Essays (1597) by Francis Bacon, we should not read it to
confuse someone, blindly follow it, and read it wholly for discourse. The
best approach would be to consider what Bacon says on different
subjects in Essays.

I would like to add here that the best practice of reading is syntopical
reading. Mortimer Adler states, in How to Read a Book, syntopical
reading or comparative reading is analyzing a subject based on a man’s
studies of books on the same topic.

Not Every Book is Same

However, Bacon reminds us we cannot follow this method everywhere.
He says,

“
“Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed,
and some few to be chewed and digested.”
 BACON 209

We need to read some books (for entertainment) partially. We can skim

the parts of these books.

We need to read some other books plainly. They are necessary for
memorization so that we can use them in real life.

There are only a few books that need our complete attention. We need to
read the book with constant focus and effort. In these cases, analytical
reading is critical.

Bacon also suggests that we can study abridged versions and summaries
of unimportant books. These books are like distilled water, which has no
significance for later use. Therefore, it is up to the reader to decide the
correct method.

Benefits of Studies
Bacon also discusses the effects of reading, discussion, and writing. He
says,

“reading makes a full man; conference leads to a ready man while

writing makes an exact man.” (Bacon 1)

Reading provides a reader with knowledge. When one reads books one
after the other, knowledge expands. In this way, it fills the reader with
wisdom.
Like reading, continuous engagement in the discussion makes a well-
read person good at the discourse. In conferences, the practice of using
knowledge instantly and constant practice makes one prepared for any
topic to talk about.

Furthermore, if the reader notes down his thought or opinion on a book,

he can revisit them later without pressuring the memory.

If one does not do any of them, he needs to pretend to know things if he

reads little. Otherwise, his lack of knowledge will become apparent.
Moreover, if one does not know the topic, he needs to have a presence of
mind.

And if a person does not write much, he needs to have significant

memory because he must rely on his memory for everything he thinks.

Benefits of studying different subjects

Francis Bacon restates the benefits of reading diverse fields of
knowledge. Francis Bacon mentions,

“
Histories make Men Wise; Poets Witty; The Mathematics Subtill;
Natural Philosophy Deepe; Morall Grave; Logick and Rhetorick
Able to Contend.

(BACON 210)
For an explanation, watch the video below-

Video

Further, Bacon says that the way a particular physical exercise is

appropriate for a distinct disease of the body, similarly proper studies
can improve intelligence.

For instance, for a distracted mind, mathematics would be fit to improve

concentration. While doing mathematics, we need to focus. If the mind
wanders at the moment, then it would spoil everything. Thus, it is a
practice to do a particular task with focus.

If the mind finds it hard to differentiate between matters, then studying

the philosophers and theologians of the Middle Ages would be beneficial
as we consider them for their logical distinctions.

Studying lawyers’ cases would be the right thing to do if one wants to

improve their reasoning skills. So, for such flaws of mind, reading has
the solution.

Of Studies Theme

The theme of “Of Studies” is the benefits of reading. I have made a

video where I have focused on the theme of the essay. You can watch the
video below.

Conclusion
In the essay, Bacon mainly discusses the benefits of reading. He also
discusses the benefits of reading different subjects. However, he does
not support idle sitting. He makes his arguments balanced by focusing
on the experience. For Bacon, we complete studies only with experience.

Bibliography

1. Adler, Mortimer J and Charles Van Doren. How to Read a Book.

Simon & Schuster, 2014.
2. Bacon, Francis. “Of Truth.” Francis Bacon: The Essays, edited by John
Pitcher, Penguin Books, 1985, pp. 209, 210.
3. Coelho, Paulo. The Alchemist. Harper Collins, 2012.

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Anuj Boruah

I'm a PhD research scholar & MPhil degree holder from DU, Assam and
also a budding blogger. I have cracked CBSE NET (July 2018), NE-SLET
(July 2018), and UGC-NTA-NET (June 2019).

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