FRANCIS BACON SAID (PART ONE)

 

          FRANCIS BACON SAID

                                      (PART ONE)

            Francis Bacon was an English philosopher, statesman who served as Attorney General and Lord Chancellor of England under King James 1.

           

            He was born on 22 January 1561 and died on 9 April 1626.

           

            Besides being an eminent jurist, he had a keen interest in scientific thinking which he popularized  among the intellectuals and  common people throughout his life.

           

            As a literary figure, he is known as the first essayist in English literature. He published the first edition of his essays in 1597, the second enlarged edition in 1612, and the final completed edition in 1625. The total number of  his published essays is fifty eight.

 

            Bacon’s essays are “celebrated for their intellectual weight, worldly wisdom, and distinct literary style.” As such, a good number of their contents   are quoted again and again.

 

            Here are some examples;

 

*Truth may perhaps come to the price of a pearl, that sheweth best by day ;  but it will not rise to the price of a diamond or carbuncle, that sheweth in varied lights. A mixture of a lie doth ever add pleasure.

 

*Quoting Montaigne, French writer (1533-1592) Bacon says:  If it be well weighed, to say that a man lieth, is as much to say that he is brave towards God and a coward towards men. For a lie faces God, and shrinks from man.

 

*Men fear death, as children fear to go in the dark; and as that natural fear in children is increased with tales, so is the other. The accompaniments of death frighten more than death itself.

 

*Revenge triumphs over death; Love slights it; honour aspireth to it ; grief  flieth to it ; fear pre-occupateth it.

 

*Religion being the chief band of human society, it is a happy thing when itself is well contained within the true band of unity. The quarrels and divisions about religion were evils unknown to the heathen. The reason was, because the religion of the heathen consisted rather in rites and ceremonies , than in any constant belief.

 

(TO BE CONTINUED)

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G. R. Kanwal

25 October 2026

SOME PRECIOUS THOUGHTS

 

                SOME PRECIOUS THOUGHTS

            A thought is an idea. Some of its synonyms are: notion, belief, concept, contemplation, musing, and reasoning.  

            Different thinkers have different thoughts though the subject is the same. You have one thought about beauty, I have another.

            For the English poet John Keats (1795-1831) a thing of beauty is a joy forever. Its loveliness increases, it never passes into nothingness, but always keeps a  bower quiet for us, and a restful sleep.  

            A dictionary defines beauty as the quality which gives pleasure to the senses.   

            Like beauty, many other subjects have a variety of interpretations according to minds of the authors that touch them.

            Given below are some precious thoughts on different subjects.

1.     Eminence. --  Every man ought to aim at eminence, not by pulling others down, but by raising himself; and enjoy the pleasures of his own superiority, whether imaginary or real, without interrupting others in the same felicity.---English autor Samuel Johnson (1709-84).

2.     Emotion. ---All loving emotions, like plants, shoot up most rapidly in the tempestuous atmosphere of life.---German humorist Jean Paul Richter (1763-1826).

3.     Empire.---As a general truth nothing is more opposed to the well-being and freedom of men, than vast empires.----French statesman                       Alexis Charles Henry De Tocqueville (1805-859)

4.     Employment.—Employment is nature’s physician, and is essential to human happiness.---German physican and philosopher Galen (130-200).

5.     Emptiness.---Four things are grievously empty: a head without brains, a wit without judgment, a heart without honesty, and a purse without money.---English bishop J.B. Earle (1601-1665).

6.     Emulation.---Emulation is a noble passion.----It is enterprising, but just           withal.---It keeps within the terms of honour, and makes the contest for glory just and generous; striving to excel, not by depressing others, but by raising itself.---English poet and dramatist Fancis Beaumont (1584-1616)

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G. R. Kanwal

24 October 2026

 

           

 

 

 

PROSPERITY

 

PROSPERITY      

            Prosperity is defined as the state of well-being, and successful, especially in making money.

            According to a broader definition: prosperity is more than just financial wealth. It’s about a sense of well-being, thriving, good fortune, and favour, and   is tied to a feeling of success and a positive life experience.

            A prosperous country is defined as a nation that is rich, financially stable, and economically successful. Moreover, it is politically and socially strong and has a high standard of life with latest healthcare systems and educational facilities. In such a country, no section of society is known as financially backward and thus entitled to freebies.

            Some synonyms of prosperity are:

Good fortune, success, abundance, affluence, ease, plenty, wealth, riches, and life of luxury.

            Its antonyms are: poverty, destitution, misfortune, depression, stagnation, backwardness, and adversity.

            Look at some  famous proverbs:

*Prosperity makes friends, adversity tries them.

*Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to

 poverty.

*The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it.

*Wealth from empty schemes disappears, wealth from work grows over time.

*Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.           

 

Given below are some relevant quotes:

1.     That  fortitude which has encountered no dangers, that prudence which has surmounted no difficulties, that integrity which has been attacked by no temptation, can at best be considered but as gold not yet brought to the test, of which therefore the true value cannot be assigned,--English author Samuel Johnson (1709-84).

2.     Everything in the world may be endured, except continual prosperity.---German poet, dramatist, and philosopher Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1742-1832).

3.     Prosperity is the touchstone of virtue; for it is less difficult to bear misfortunes, than to remain uncorrupted by pleasure,---Roman historian Tacitus (55-120).

4.     The good things which belong to prosperity may be wished; but the good things which belong to adversity are to be admired.---Roman stoic philosopher Seneca (4 B. C. ---65 A.D.)

5.     He that swells in prosperity will be sure to shrink in adversity.---English clergy Caleb C. Colton (1780-1832).    

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G. R. Kanwal

23 October 2026

TODAY IS TODAY

 

                                TODAY IS TODAY

            ‘Today Is Today’.  It is not an exact repetition of yesterday. The present is not a re-enactment of the past. The world is subject to evolution. It is not stagnant, but dynamic. It leaves behind the present infrastructure and generates a new one to meet the challenges of the new times.

            There were no so many countries in the past, nor so huge population.

            In my childhood which commenced in the thirties of the preceding century, there were no smart phones, no computers, no televisions, no weapons like nuclear bombs, and not even so many media  of communication.

            The dictum history repeats itself is not outright true.

            To brood over the past is sheer wastage of time. To say that every present day discovery or invention is not new and that it existed in  the remote past is not Biblical truth.

            The wonders of the past were different from those  of today and those which will appear in the future will also be unprecedented.

            The English poet and philanthropist Adelaide Anne Procter (1825-1864) says in her poem ‘NOW’ :

             Rise ! if the Past detains you,

            Her sunshine and storms forget ;

            No chains so unworthy to hold you

            As hose of a vain regret :

            Sad or bright, she is lifeless ever,

            Cast her phantom arms away,

            Nor look back, save to learn the lesson

            Of a nobler strife Today.

  

            And further:

            Rise from your dreams of the Future—

            Of gaining some hard-fought field ;

            Of storming some airy fortress,

            Or bidding some giant yield :

 

            Your future has deeds of glory,

            Of honour (God grant it may !)

            But your arm will never be stronger,

            Or the need so great as Today.

             

Finally this most relevant quote “Modern digital tools, artificial intelligence, and global interconnectedness create speeds and scales of change that have no historical precedent.”

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G.R.Kanwal

22 October 2026

REST IS NOT RUST

 

REST IS NOT RUST

            Rest is not rust. It is rejuvenation. Those who boast of working all the 24  hours of a day are not good models for those who work during the day and rest during the night.

            Medical science emphasizes at least seven hours of sound sleep. Sleeplessness is called insomnia and is a disease. Modern man is a victim of this disease and uses medicines to get rid of it but not with full success.

            It is worthwhile to know that not only men but also machines need rest, otherwise they burst and cause a lot of destruction.

            Here are some relevant quotes:

*Rest is the sweet sauce of labour.---Greek-Roman philosopher, born around 46 CE and died after 119 CE.

*Certainly work is not always required of a man. There is such a thing as a sacred idleness – the cultivation of which is now fearfully neglected, -- Scottish novelist  George Macdonald  (1824-1905).

* All work and no rest takes the spring and bound out of the most vigorous life.---Time spent in judicious resting is not time wasted, but time gained.---American author M. B. Grier .

            Finally, here is a short poem titled LEISURE written by the Welsh poet and writer William Henry Davies (1871-940).

                                                            LEISURE

What is this life if, full of care,

We have no time to stand and stare?             

 

No time to stand beneath the boughs

And stare as long as sheep or cows:

 

No time to see, when woods we pass,

Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.

 

 

No time to see, in broad daylight,

Streams full of stars, like skies at night:

 

No time to turn at Beauty’s glance,

And watch her feet, how they can dance:

 

No time to wait till her mouth can

Enrich that smile her eyes began ?

 

A poor life this if, full of care,

We have no time to stand and stare.

 

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G.R. Kanwal

21 October 2026

 

 

 

   

TALKING ABOU EVIL

 

                TALKING ABOU EVIL

            It is good to talk about evil but not to condemn it outright. In fact, there is no perfect and changeless definition of evil. According to dictionaries evil is morally bad and cruel. It has a harmful effect on people. It is connected with the devil who said: It is better to rule in hell than to serve in heaven.

            Evil is also defined as: Profound immorality, wickedness, and anything that causes deliberate harm, suffering, or destruction to others.

            In some religions evils are the antonyms of virtues and are known as vices. They are also known as deadly sins. Some of them are : pride, greed, lust, gluttony, anger, and laziness.

            Evil is often regarded as : unlucky, unfortunate, disastrous, catastrophic, ruinous, and woeful.

            Some actions have double interpretations. For example, war is both good and evil. Overwork is beneficial as well as harmful.

            Moreover, nothing is virtuous or vicious forever. What was evil in the past may be good in the present. Dowry was a blessing in India not long ago but today it is considered as an undesirable custom.

            Evil does not seem to be ephemeral even in God’s legislature. Had it been so, there would not have been both heaven and hell.

            Also look at this proverb: One man’s nectar is another man’s poison.  Drinking is good for some but bad for many.

            Here are some famous  quotes:

*Hear one side and you will be in the dark; hear both sides, and all will be clear.

*Even in evil, that dark cloud that hangs over creation, we discern rays of light and hope, and gradually come to see in suffering and temptation, proofs and instruments of the sublimest purposes of wisdom and love.   

*The first lesson of history, is, that evil is good.

*Good has but one enemy, the evil; but the evil has two enemies, the good and itself.

*There is nothing truly evil, but what is within us; the rest is either natural or accidental.

*It is a great evil not to be able to bear an evil.

*The lives of the best of us are spent in choosing between evils.

                        The English poet , playwright, and actor  William Shakespeare (1564-1616) said: The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones.  

                        Finally, look at this eternal fact. We live in a world of dualities. If there is life, there is also death; if there is day, there is also night; if there is joy,  there is also sorrow.

                        Also, remember the natural fact  that every cloud has a silver lining.

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G.R.Kanwal

20 October 2026

 

MISCELLANEOUS THOUGHTS

 

                MISCELLANEOUS       THOUGHTS

1.    Every man is a volume if you know how to read him.

2.    A house without books is like a room without windows

3.    The torture of a bad conscience is the hell of a living soul.

4.    He who prays as he ought, will endeavour to live as he prays.

5.    Delays have dangerous ends.

6.    Delicacy is to the mind what fragrance is to the fruit.

7.    Doubt is brother devil to despair.

8.    The early morning has gold in its mouth.

9.    The back door robs the house.

10.Let the end try the man.

11. Kites rise against, not with the wind.

12. None but cowards liie.

13. Faith is like love: it cannot be forced.

14. Falsehoods not only disagree with truths, but usually quarrel among themselves.

15. A mask of gold hides all deformities.

16. Gravity is the body’s wisdom to conceal the mind.

17. Habit is ten times nature.

18.  Help  thyself, and God will help thee.

19. Ideas control the world.

20.  An impure man is every good man’s enemy.

21. Knowledge is but folly unless it is guided by grace.

22. Laws can discover sin , but not remove it.

23. Days of respite are golden days.

24. One ought to have a good memory when he has told a lie.

25. Life is divided into three terms –that which was, which is, and which will be. Let us learn from the past to profit by the present, and from the present to live better for the future.

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G. R. Kanwal

19 October 2026