of truth essay summary

Of Truth by Francis Bacon Summary & Analysis

In this essay, Bacon has presented the objective truth in various manifestations.Similarly, Bacon shares with us the subjective truth, operative in social life. “OF TRUTH” is Bacon’s masterpiece that shows his keen observation of human beings with special regard to truth. In the beginning of the essay, Bacon rightly observes that generally people do not care for truth as Pilate, the governor of the Roman Empire, while conducting the trial of Jesus Christ, cares little for truth:

It is a fact that man prefers to cherish illusions, which make his life more interesting. With a profound observation of man’s psychology, Bacon states that if deprived of false pride and vanities, the human mind would contract like a deflated balloon and these human beings would become poor, sad and ill. However, poetic untruth is not gone unnoticed by Bacon’s piercing intellect. He says though poetic untruth is a wine of the Devil in priest’s eyes, yet it is not as harmful as the other lies are. Bacon being a literary artist illustrates this concept with an apt imagery that the poetic untruth is but the shadow of a lie. The enquiry of truth, knowledge of truth and belief of truth are compared with the enjoyment of love. Such a comparison lends the literary charm to this essay.Bacon further says in that the last act of creation was to create rational faculty, which helps in finding truth, is the finished product of God’s blessing as he says:

“… The last was the light of reason…is the illumination of his spirit.”

Bacon further asserts that the liars are like a snake that goes basely upon the belly and not upon the feet. Imagery comprising comparison is apt and convincing. Moreover, Bacon refers to Montaigne who is of the view that “a lie faces God and shrinks from man”. Bacon adds that falsehood is the height of wickedness and as such will invite the Judgment of God upon all human beings on Doom’s day. Therefore, Bacon concludes his essay with didacticism with a tinge of Christian morality.

In the essay, “OF TRUTH”, there is no digression. All the arguments in the essay pertain to the single main idea, truth. Bacon’s wide learning is clearly observed when he refers to Pilate (history), Lucian (Greek literature), Creation, Montaigne (a French essayist). “OF TRUTH” is enriched with striking similes and analogies, such as he equates liars as a snake moving basely on its belly, mixture of falsehood is like an alloy of gold and silver.Similarly, truth is ‘open day light’ whereas lie is ‘candle light i.e fake dim light. Truth is ‘a pearl’ i.e worthy and precious whereas ,lie is ‘a diamond’ that reflects light illusions when placed in daylight.

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Of Truth, by Francis Bacon

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"Of Truth" is the opening essay in the final edition of the philosopher, statesman, and jurist Francis Bacon's "Essays or Counsels, Civil and Moral" (1625). In this essay, as Roosevelt University associate professor of philosophy Svetozar Minkov points out, Bacon addresses the question of "whether it is worse to lie to others or to oneself—to possess truth (and lie, when necessary, to others) or to think one possesses the truth but be mistaken and hence unintentionally convey falsehoods to both oneself and to others" ("Francis Bacon's 'Inquiry Touching Human Nature,'" 2010).

Below, find the full text of Francis Bacon 's essay "Of Truth", in which he argues that people have a natural inclination to lie to others: "a natural though corrupt love, of the lie itself."

"What is truth?" said jesting Pilate, and would not stay for an answer. Certainly, there be that delight in giddiness, and count it a bondage to fix a belief, affecting free-will in thinking as well as in acting. And though the sects of philosophers of that kind be gone, yet there remain certain discoursing wits which are of the same veins, though there be not so much blood in them as was in those of the ancients. But it is not only the difficulty and labor which men take in finding out of truth, nor again that when it is found it imposeth upon men's thoughts, that doth bring lies in favor, but a natural though corrupt love of the lie itself. One of the later school of the Grecians examineth the matter, and is at a stand to think what should be in it, that men should love lies where neither they make for pleasure, as with poets, nor for advantage, as with the merchant; but for the lie's sake. But I cannot tell: this same truth is a naked and open daylight that doth not show the masques and mummeries and triumphs of the world half so stately and daintily as candle-lights. Truth may perhaps come to the price of a pearl that showeth best by day; but it will not rise to the price of a diamond or carbuncle, that showeth best in varied lights. A mixture of a lie doth ever add pleasure. Doth any man doubt that if there were taken out of men's minds vain opinions, flattering hopes, false valuations, imaginations as one would, and the like, but it would leave the minds of a number of men poor shrunken things, full of melancholy and indisposition, and unpleasing to themselves? One of the fathers, in great severity, called poesy vinum daemonum [the wine of devils] because it filleth the imagination, and yet it is but with the shadow of a lie. But it is not the lie that passeth through the mind, but the lie that sinketh in and settleth in it that doth the hurt, such as we spake of before. But howsoever these things are thus in men's depraved judgments and affections, yet truth, which only doth judge itself, teacheth that the inquiry of truth, which is the love-making or wooing of it; the knowledge of truth, which is the presence of it; and the belief of truth, which is the enjoying of it, is the sovereign good of human nature. The first creature of God in the works of the days was the light of the sense; the last was the light of reason; and his Sabbath work ever since is the illumination of his spirit. First he breathed light upon the face of the matter, or chaos; then he breathed light into the face of man; and still he breatheth and inspireth light into the face of his chosen. The poet that beautified the sect that was otherwise inferior to the rest, saith yet excellently well, "It is a pleasure to stand upon the shore, and to see ships tossed upon the sea; a pleasure to stand in the window of a castle, and to see a battle and the adventures thereof below; but no pleasure is comparable to the standing upon the vantage ground of truth (a hill not to be commanded, and where the air is always clear and serene), and to see the errors and wanderings and mists and tempests in the vale below"*; so always that this prospect be with pity, and not with swelling or pride. Certainly it is heaven upon earth to have a man's mind move in charity, rest in providence, and turn upon the poles of truth.

To pass from theological and philosophical truth to the truth of civil business: it will be acknowledged, even by those that practice it not, that clear and round dealing is the honor of man's nature, and that mixture of falsehood is like alloy in coin of gold and silver, which may make the metal work the better, but it embaseth it. For these winding and crooked courses are the goings of the serpent, which goeth basely upon the belly and not upon the feet. There is no vice that doth so cover a man with shame as to be found false and perfidious; and therefore Montaigne saith prettily, when he inquired the reason why the word of the lie should be such a disgrace and such an odious charge. Saith he, "If it be well weighed, to say that a man lieth, is as much as to say that he is brave towards God, and a coward towards man." For a lie faces God, and shrinks from man. Surely the wickedness of falsehood and breach of faith cannot possibly be so highly expressed as in that it shall be the last peal to call the judgments of God upon the generations of men: it being foretold that when Christ cometh, "He shall not find faith upon the earth."

*Bacon's paraphrase of the opening lines of Book II of "On the Nature of Things" by Roman poet Titus Lucretius Carus.

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Of Truth by Francis Bacon Summary

‘Of Truth’ is a masterpiece essay by Francis Bacon , in which we can get a profound understanding about truth and its importance in all aspects of one’s life, distinguishing it from falsehood.

‘Of Truth’ is the opening essay in Francis Bacon’s final edition of essays named, “ Essays or Counsels, Civil and Moral ” (1625).

Bacon attempts to address the people who are skeptical about the nature and benefits of truth and honesty, stressing the importance of embracing honesty as the basis of one’s uprightness.

Bacon, in “Of Truth”, discusses why truth and honesty are significant in one’s life. Bacon says that some people have a natural inclination towards the falsehood, a corrupt love of lie itself.

Bacon likens falsehood to a candlelight which is more attractive, whereas truth is like daylight which shows things as they really are, without illusions and any fancy decorations.

Though a mixture of falsehood and truth may give pleasure, falsehood is wickedness that can provoke God. Bacon wonders why a man is dare to defy God by following the ways of falsehood and why he is not dare to face his fellow humans by telling the truth.

Of Truth by Francis Bacon Line by Line Explanation

Let’s read the essay “Of Truth” by Francis Bacon line by line to understand why people have to pursue truth.

Pontius Pilate in Christ’s Crucifixion

“What is truth?” said jesting Pilate, and would not stay for an answer.

Bacon starts this essay “Of Truth” by citing an example from ancient Rome to emphasize the importance of embracing the truth. Bacon starts this essay “Of Truth” by citing an example from ancient Rome to emphasize the importance of embracing the truth.

Pontius Pilate, an ancient Roman governor, passed judgement on the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, under the pressure of the crowd, without worrying about or patiently waiting for the revelation of truth.

Here, Bacon critiques Pilate’s erroneous decision without much worrying about the truth. If Pilate had the patience, he would have refrained from committing such a big mistake in history. According to Bacon, this incident stresses the importance of having a deeper understanding of the truth.

Commitment To A Particular Belief: A Bondage

Certainly, there be that delight in giddiness, and count it a bondage to fix a belief, affecting free-will in thinking as well as in acting.

Bacon indicates that there are people who consider it a bondage to committing to a particular belief. This belief, according to these people, would affect the autonomy not only in their thinking but also in actions. So, these people would never want to fix on a particular belief, but wish to have intellectual liberty.

Echoes of Ancient Thought

And though the sects of philosophers of that kind be gone, yet there remain certain discoursing wits which are of the same veins, though there be not so much blood in them as was in those of the ancients.

Though the groups of ancient philosophers are no more, it’s noteworthy that there are people still today who think in a similar manner, though they may not be as influential as the ancient philosophers however.

Bacon’s Insight on Humanity’s Affinity for Lies

But it is not only the difficulty and labor which men take in finding out of truth, nor again that when it is found it imposeth upon men’s thoughts, that doth bring lies in favor, but a natural though corrupt love of the lie itself.

According to Bacon, people prefer and embrace lies not only because it is difficult to discover truth or the people have to face challenges that the truth puts forth to their thinking, but also because humans have a natural inclination towards embracing the lie because of an inherent love (corrupt love) for the lie itself.

The Love of Lies

One of the later school of the Grecians examineth the matter, and is at a stand to think what should be in it, that men should love lies where neither they make for pleasure, as with poets, nor for advantage, as with the merchant; but for the lie’s sake.

A Greek philosophical school took this topic for discussion on why some individuals have a natural tendency to love lies. Unlike poets who make lies for pleasure and entertainment or merchants who lie for personal advantage, this school of philosophy couldn’t come to a conclusion why some people prefer lie for lie’s sake.

Truth vs Falsehood

But I cannot tell: this same truth is a naked and open daylight that doth not show the masques and mummeries and triumphs of the world half so stately and daintily as candle-lights.

Bacon makes a beautiful comparison between truth and lie. Truth is like bright daylight that reveals things as they really are without illusions and any fancy decorations (the masques and mummeries), whereas the lie (the triumphs of the world) is like a candlelight which is more glamorous, attractive and impressive.

The Value of Truth

Truth may perhaps come to the price of a pearl that showeth best by day; but it will not rise to the price of a diamond or carbuncle, that showeth best in varied lights.

Bacon goes on to explain why some individuals prefer lies over truth. Truth might be valuable and comparable to a pearl which looks best in daylight. Yet, it will never rise to the value of a diamond or carbuncle, which shine more impressively in different lights.

Diamond and carbuncle (the lies and illusions) shine brilliantly in various colourful lights, whereas the pearl (the truth) shines best only in daylight.

Mixture of Falsehood and Truth

A mixture of a lie doth ever add pleasure. Doth any man doubt that if there were taken out of men’s minds vain opinions, flattering hopes, false valuations, imaginations as one would, and the like, but it would leave the minds of a number of men poor shrunken things, full of melancholy and indisposition, and unpleasing to themselves?

Here Bacon suggests that a mixture of lie and truth often gives more pleasure. He then questions that whether anybody doubts that if people’s minds were stripped of flattering hopes, false valuations, and imaginations, the minds of a number of men would be left to suffer melancholy, lacking motivation, and uninspired to themselves.

The Intoxicating Power of Poetry

One of the fathers, in great severity, called poesy vinum daemonum [the wine of devils] because it filleth the imagination, and yet it is but with the shadow of a lie. But it is not the lie that passeth through the mind, but the lie that sinketh in and settleth in it that doth the hurt, such as we spake of before.

In these lines Bacon explains why one of the early Christian scholars referred to poetry as “the wine of devils” (vinum daemonum). It is because the poetry intoxicates the imagination, even though everyone is aware that it is based on falsehoods.

Merely passing lie never hurts the mind. But rather the lie that takes root in mind and stays there long, causing damage over time. Such lies are harmful intoxication to individuals.

Truth: The Sovereign Good of Human Nature

But howsoever these things are thus in men’s depraved judgments and affections, yet truth, which only doth judge itself, teacheth that the inquiry of truth, which is the love-making or wooing of it; the knowledge of truth, which is the presence of it; and the belief of truth, which is the enjoying of it, is the sovereign good of human nature.

Despite the people’s flawed judgement about the value of truth, it teaches us that seeking truth, understanding its value and believing in truth are the sovereign good for human race. So, truth is important for the welfare of human beings.

Divine Illumination: The Progression of Light in Creation

The first creature of God in the works of the days was the light of the sense; the last was the light of reason; and his Sabbath work ever since is the illumination of his spirit. First he breathed light upon the face of the matter, or chaos; then he breathed light into the face of man; and still he breatheth and inspireth light into the face of his chosen.

According to Bacon, the first creation of God was the light of the sense that allows us to perceive the world. And his Sabbath work (final creation) was the light of reason (the illumination of his spirit) which enables us to understand the world.

In other words, first God breathed light into the chaotic world, and then he brought light to human race. Ever since, God continues to inspire and  bring illumination to the face of his chosen.

The Vantage Ground of Truth

The poet that beautified the sect that was otherwise inferior to the rest, saith yet excellently well, “It is a pleasure to stand upon the shore, and to see ships tossed upon the sea; a pleasure to stand in the window of a castle, and to see a battle and the adventures thereof below; but no pleasure is comparable to the standing upon the vantage ground of truth (a hill not to be commanded, and where the air is always clear and serene), and to see the errors and wanderings and mists and tempests in the vale below”; so always that this prospect be with pity, and not with swelling or pride.

In these lines of “Of Truth”, Bacon discusses how a poet praises the pleasure of watching different scenes, like standing upon the seashore and seeing ships tossed upon the sea or standing in the window of a castle and watching a battle. But the greatest pleasure is that, according to Bacon, standing upon the elevated ground of truth and seeing errors of those below.

Heaven upon Earth

Certainly it is heaven upon earth to have a man’s mind move in charity, rest in providence, and turn upon the poles of truth.

It is a beautiful experience to have one’s mind move towards charity / filled with love and goodwill towards others, to rest in the divine guidance, and trust on the benefits of truth is akin to heaven upon earth.

Falsehood is akin to a Serpent

To pass from theological and philosophical truth to the truth of civil business: it will be acknowledged, even by those that practice it not, that clear and round dealing is the honor of man’s nature, and that mixture of falsehood is like alloy in coin of gold and silver, which may make the metal work the better, but it embaseth it. For these winding and crooked courses are the goings of the serpent, which goeth basely upon the belly and not upon the feet.

In this passage, Bacon move from discussing theological and philosophical truth to the truth of everyday business. He declares that candid, open, honest and straightforward dealings are fundamental to human nobility, even to the people who don’t practice it.

A mixture of falsehood and truth is akin to the impurities added to precious metals (coin of gold and silver). Though they make them work and shine better, they ultimately degrades their value.

Dishonest and deceitful actions are compared to the movements of a serpent. A serpent slithers on its belly rather than walking on its foot. The comparison is made to describe that the deceitful and dishonourable actions are low much like the movements of a serpent close to the ground.

No Vice is like Falsehood

There is no vice that doth so cover a man with shame as to be found false and perfidious; and therefore Montaigne saith prettily, when he inquired the reason why the word of the lie should be such a disgrace and such an odious charge. Saith he, “If it be well weighed, to say that a man lieth, is as much as to say that he is brave towards God, and a coward towards man.” For a lie faces God, and shrinks from man.

In these lines of “Of Truth”, Bacon discusses how much it is shameful for a man who is discovered to be false and deceitful. No vice is as shameful as being discovered false and perfidious.

Montaigne explains this act in a simple way: a liar dares to defy God but he is coward in front of people. If one dares to defy God by telling lies, why he dares not to face fellow humans by telling the truth.

Falsehood is Wickedness

Surely the wickedness of falsehood and breach of faith cannot possibly be so highly expressed as in that it shall be the last peal to call the judgments of God upon the generations of men: it being foretold that when Christ cometh, “He shall not find faith upon the earth.”

Falsehood is wickedness and it is a serious sin that provokes God (it shall be the last peal to call the judgments of God upon the generations of men).

“Of Truth” concludes with a prophecy about the return of Christ. When he comes back, he will find falsehood and unfaithfulness widespread everywhere on the earth.

FAQs: People Also Ask

Q: what is the main theme of “of truth” by francis bacon.

The main theme of”Of Truth” by Francis Bacon is the importance and value of truth in human life. Bacon insists the importance of truth in personal conduct as well as in the pursuit of knowledge.

Bacon strongly believes that truth can lead to clarity of thought and understanding. In addition to this, he also discusses the consequences falsehood and deception. Falsehood is detrimental in nature and it will create a negative impact on individuals and the society.

The readers can understand the timeless relevance of truth as a guiding principle of in all human affairs.

Q: What is the writing style of Francis Bacon in ‘Of Truth’?

The writing style of Francis Bacon in ‘Of Truth’ is aphoristic. Bacon never includes his own life experience and observation of truth. As a result, his essays are impersonal.

In aphoristic style, the statements are concise but impactful and memorable like a maxim. Aphorisms are employed by writers to capture universal truth, observation about human nature or philosophical concept in a memorable manner.

In this essay ‘Of Truth’, if you look at the opening lines, ‘ “What is truth?” said jesting Pilate, and would not stay for an answer’, the readers are able to bring into mind immediately the incident of Jesus Christ’s trial, when Pilate was not serious about Jesus Christ’s claim that he had come bring truth into the world.

Q: What are the important quotes in Of Truth by Francis Bacon?

There are several important quotes in Of Truth by Francis Bacon. We have selected some of the important quotes:

1) Truth may perhaps come to the price of a pearl that showeth best by day; but it will not rise to the price of a diamond or carbuncle, that showeth best in varied lights.   2) A mixture of a lie doth ever add pleasure.   3) It is a pleasure to stand upon the shore, and to see ships tossed upon the sea; a pleasure to stand in the window of a castle, and to see a battle and the adventures thereof below; but no pleasure is comparable to the standing upon the vantage ground of truth, and to see the errors and wanderings and mists and tempests in the vale below.   4) There is no vice that doth so cover a man with shame as to be found false and perfidious.   5) “If it be well weighed, to say that a man lieth, is as much as to say that he is brave towards God, and a coward towards man.” For a lie faces God, and shrinks from man.

Q: When was Francis Bacon’s essay of truth first published?

‘Of Truth’ was first published in 1625 as the opening essay in Francis Bacon’s “Essays or Counsels, Civil and Moral”. This edition consists of 58 essays, which includes the essays published in the previous editions of Francis Bacon’s essays published in 1597 and 1612.

Francis Bacon

Francis Bacon was an essayist, philosopher and statesman, born in 1561, London. He also served as Attorney General and Lord Chancellor of England during the reign of King James I.

Bacon is known as the father of empiricism. He died of pneumonia in 1626 and was buried at St Michael’s Church, St Albans, Hertfordshire.

Bacon’s famous work ‘The Advancement of Learning’, a pioneering work in support of empirical philosophy, published in 1605.

Bacon’s 1st edition of essays published in 1597 contained only 10 essays. His 2nd edition published in 1612 contained 38 essays. And the final edition of essays published in 1625 consisting 58 essays.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Of Truth by Francis Bacon Summary

Table of Contents

Introduction

Francis Bacon was a prose writer of renaissance age, a great philosopher and pioneer of scientific thoughts. He had set some goals in his life. One is to serve his country, second is to serve the church and the other is to learn the truth.

Style of Writing

Bacon’s style is most remarkable for his preciseness. He has a great command of condensation of the sentences. Each sentence of his essay contains multiple meanings and references. He combines wisdom with brevity and his short, pithy sayings become famous as mottoes and useful expressions.

Humans and Truth & Lie

Of truth is Bacon’s great work of prose which shows his keen observation of human beings with their attributes of truth and lie. In the beginning, he states that people generally do not care for the truth.

He gives the example of Pilate, the governor of the Roman Empire while conducting the session with Jesus Christ, does not pay attention to the truth and said: “what is the truth? Said Jesting Pilate, and would not stay for an answer.”

Reason Why People Hate Truth

Moving on he describes the reasons why people do not like the truth. First, the truth is difficult to acquire without hard work and man is ever reluctant to work hard. Moreover, truth makes people bound to a certain fact. It diminishes freedom.

According to Bacon truth is like a bright day which shows the real self. Truth is like a pearl that shows what is visible to the naked eye. It cannot show anything by adding unrealistic elements. Falsehood can show something apparent in dark.

Lies and Pleasure

People lie because it covers their real personality. Bacon rightly says that “A mixture of a lie doth ever add pleasure.” The mixture of truth and lie makes things interesting and pleases everyone.

He states if everything is presented as its real colour with no additional praise, flattering comments, and illusions the society will become indolent.

Same is the case with poets. They add false praises in their poetry to reach a higher level of accomplishments. Truth is utmost important in every aspect of life civil or business.

A bit of lie added to truth is like making an alloy of copper and gold. It becomes easier to work with these metals but at the same times, it makes it impure.

Lie is Like Snake

Bacon compares lie with a snake crawling on its belly instead of walking on its feet. The false person has to let his head down because he feels guilty all the time due to his habit of speaking falsehood all the time to earn benefits in business. There is no shameful act than to be a liar.

Therefore Bacon concludes his essay with didacticism by giving a tinge of Christian morality. The essay is rich in manner and matter. This is a council, civil and moral and should be read slowly to understand the lucid and condensed prose style of Bacon.

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Of Truth by Francis Bacon: Explained in Easy Language

We have discussed a summary, line-by-line explanation, and the theme of the essay in the following paragraphs, all explained in simple language.

Table of Contents

Of Truth Summary

Francis Bacon observes a common human tendency to favor lies over truth. For instance, Pilate recognized Christ’s innocence but felt pressured to condemn him. It implies sticking to truth is hard, whereas holding lies carries no risk and offers the flexibility to change one’s point of view at will.

Man loves lies because they are attractive and change their color, similar to a diamond or carbuncle. Truth is unchanging and simple, much like a pearl. Despite the advantage of lies, truth is valuable.

Bacon agrees lies can give temporary relief and prevent sadness and hopelessness. Some forms of lies, like poetry, are harmless as their effect is temporary. However, fixed beliefs are harmful.

Bacon asserts the pursuit of truth is man’s supreme virtue. He believes understanding, searching, and living by truth is an achievement and satisfaction.

Honesty in everyday conversation is also necessary for a virtuous life. While it is beneficial, falsehood is shameful and harmful to individuals and society.

Line By Line Explanation 

Francis Bacon begins the essay by referring to the Christ’s trial with a slight modification.

The Jewish chief priests and elders took Jesus to Pilate. Pilate asked Jesus if he was the King of the Jews. Jesus declared he was a king and came to bear witness to the world ( John 18:37 ). Having heard his declaration, Pilate asked him what the truth was ( John 18:38 ).

The Roman governor went outside and told the Jews that he found Jesus had done nothing wrong. Pilate was aware of Jesus’ innocence. Therefore, he tried to free Jesus by using a Passover tradition where he could release a prisoner, and questioned the crowd about Jesus’ supposed crimes.

Even though Pilate knew Jesus was innocent, he did not want to disappoint the Jewish crowd. Therefore, he ordered to crucify Christ. His decision regarding implies a reluctance to stand by the truth.

Bacon’s choice to frame Pilate’s question as “jesting” (Bacon 61) or joking could highlight a broader critique of how people prioritize convenience over upholding truth. People are often not ready to confront the consequences of admitting the truth.

Some people ignore truth and consider a fixed belief a bondage to the free will of thinking and action. They want to think and act freely. It is important to note what we believe is not truth. Bacon probably uses words belief and truth interchangeably.

It is risky to speak the truth, especially when it challenges predominant belief. For example, Galileo faced persecution for asserting heliocentric truth, which means the Earth goes around the Sun.

It requires courage. Therefore, most people prefer to keep quiet to avoid potential risks.

Pilate’s decision to wash his hands publicly and declare himself free of Christ’s blood proves his awareness of the committed injustice. It also suggests his attempt to avert himself from moral responsibility.

Bacon draws a similarity between Pilate and the human tendency to avoid the price of committing to the truth. Pilate was afraid to stand up for the truth because he did not want to lose the support of the Jews.

Bacon mentions that some groups of Greek philosophers had a keen interest in seeking the truth. He probably refers to the “Sceptics” and the “New (or third) Academy” (Pitcher 61n4).

They believed it was hard for people to know the truth. Some intellectuals still exist, but they are not as passionate about it as the Greeks were.

Reasons for Ignoring Truth

Bacon dives into why people prefer falsehood. He argues people ignore truth not because finding truth is a laborious process nor it limits their thoughts. Instead, people lie because one naturally loves to lie. 

Bacon refers to the Greek satirist Lucian. In  Lover of Lies,  Tychiades asks his friend Philokles why man lies even when it does not bring them joy like poets or profit like merchants. He questions why a man prefers lying for the sake of it.

For example, the speaker boasts before the sun in John Donne’s poem “ The Sun Rising ”. It amuses the poet and creates a space where he can imaginatively claim power over the mighty sun. Similarly, a merchant or a company might lie for profit. Lucian suggests that beyond poetry or trade, some lie simply for the lie itself. 

Though Bacon does not explain the reasons, here are some probable reasons. 

First, Albert Bandura’s social cognitive theory explains that children learn a behavior, including lying, either by direct experience or observing others. If they observe no consequences for lying, they might learn it is acceptable.

Second, they like to avoid repercussions of being truthful, which we have discussed above.

Third, psychologically, lying can be a defense mechanism to avoid unpleasant situations and maintain one’s subjective reality.

Differences between Truth and Lies

Bacon contrasts truth and lies by comparing them to clear daylight and flattering candlelight. Daylight does not show the masks, mummeries and triumphs of the world as elegantly as candlelight does on stage. 

A masque and mummery are an early form of dramatic performance. 

The soft glow of candlelight can beautify a scene and make things more attractive than they are. This analogy suggests truth shows things as they are and offers an unfiltered view of reality. On the other hand, lies distort perception and provide a filtered view of the truth. 

Bacon gives another analogy between pearl and diamond to differentiate truth and falsity. Truth is like a pearl that is constant and unaffected by light conditions. A diamond or carbuncle changes its appearance in various lighting conditions and attracts people.

The comparison implies that while truth is invaluable, it lacks the glamour of lies. They often seem more appealing because of their ability to deceive. Consequently, people prioritize flashy things such as lies over simplicity and honesty.

Bacon poses a critical question about the role of lies in life. Mind operates on a pleasure principle, seeking joy and avoiding pain. The challenges of life drive us to create fantasies.

Though these falsehoods are lies, they offer comfort and hope, making life bearable. If one removes all these pointless opinions, flattering hopes, false valuations, imaginations, life would be empty and disillusioned.

For example, in the story “ The Free Radio ,” the protagonist Ramani holds to the false hope of receiving a free radio and becoming a hero, which keeps him spirited despite his poverty.

It raises a question: What kind of falsehood should we allow in our perception of reality?

The section below aims to answer this.

Light-Hearted Lies vs. Serious Lies

Poetry is a light-hearted lie and harmless, as its effects are temporary. However, Philosophers like Plato have been skeptical about poetry, and excluded poets from his ideal  Republic . They often associate poetry with lies. So, St Jerome criticized poetry and said that poetry is the “food of devils” (Pitcher 62n9).

Though it distracts the readers from reality by firing up their imagination, it does not last long. Instead of poetry, those deep-rooted lies are harmful. For instance, Ramani’s firm faith in becoming a film star leads him to sell his only livelihood: his rickshaw.

Lies deeply influence one’s perceptions and actions. It is seductive and ultimately harmful.

The Value of Truth 

On the other hand, pursuing truth brings lasting benefits. Similar to other essays, such as ‘ Of Studies ,’ ‘ Of Friendship ,’ and ‘ Of Marriage and Single Life ,’ where Bacon discusses the benefits of specific topics, in this essay, he also explores the advantages of being truthful.

Truth is self-evident and self-validating; it does not require external validation for its worth. Searching for, understanding, and believing in truth is profoundly rewarding. 

Bacon likens this quest to a romantic relationship. One seeks to know a person deeply, feel the presence of the other, and enjoy being with the person in a romantic pursuit. Similarly, engaging with truth in these ways enriches our lives. 

It emphasizes that just as relationships bring joy and fulfillment, so does the pursuit of truth make one’s understanding and experience of the world deep and meaningful. 

However, I think embracing truth can be challenging. For instance, Galileo’s opposition shows how hard following truth can be, especially when they are against commonly accepted beliefs. Unlike the joy of love, seeking truth often leads to difficult discoveries that demand courage to face.

Nevertheless, seeking truth is a fundamental human nature and a divine intention. He refers to Genesis 1:3 and 1:27 to justify his point (Pitcher 62n10).  

God first created light that lets us see. The last thing he created was the reason. God also gave light to the formless earth and intellectual insight and spiritual enlightenment to humans.

The Benefit of Truth

Knowing oneself is the ultimate aim of man. Another benefit of truth is the one who knows oneself. The person knows everyone because all are one and connected.

Bacon paraphrases the first ten lines of Book II of Lucretius’s  On the Nature of Things  as an example. It mentions watching jerking ships during a storm from the shore and a battle from a castle window are pleasant experiences (Pitcher 62n11).

It is not about enjoying the suffering of others rather realizing one is safe from those troubles.

Witnessing these situations can be a metaphor for observing difficulties from a safe distance. The distance allows viewers to notice these situations safely without being directly involved.

However, the pleasure of viewing things on the downhill from a high hill is incomparable. One can see things clearly down the valley. The metaphorical hill represents a higher level of understanding. From this ideal state, one can understand the mistakes, doubts, and mental disturbances of those below the level.

The state of enlightenment is calm and clear, like a serene air. The high ground of truth is better than the physical viewpoints because of the superiority of intellectual insight over mere physical advantage.

The advantageous position allows one to observe and understand life challenges and the human condition. Therefore, Bacon suggests one should observe others with compassion rather than a sense of pride. Living with kindness towards others, trusting in the divine, and being guided by truth is like living in paradise on earth.

So, it highlights the importance of wisdom, which is attainable through the path of truth.

Benefits of Truth in Everyday Life

In daily interactions, following the path of truth is also necessary. Being open and honest is a noble aspect of human nature. While honesty is universally cherished, lies degrade human dignity. 

It might make the metalwork seem valuable but degrades its value. It suggests that though deceit might offer short-term advantages, it ultimately degrades one’s character.

Taking dishonest paths is akin to the movement of a snake. It needs the support of its belly to move. A lie also requires the help of another lie to justify it. 

This imagery reflects the negative symbolism of the serpent in Christianity. Christians consider snakes to be evil because Satan takes the form of a serpent and instigates Eve to eat the apple.

No other vice makes a person feel as ashamed as being caught lying and betraying trust. Deceit is the ultimate vice, bringing shame and mistrust.

The Moral Implications of Lying 

Montaigne ponders why calling someone a liar is disgraceful. Bacon cites a statement from “Of Giving the lie” Essays II 18, where Montaigne quotes Plutarch (Pitcher 63n14).

To him, lying is akin to defying God while fearing the judgment of humans. A liar has no courage before another man, and one takes it for granted that lying would not affect the judgment day. 

The evil of lying and breaking trust is so great that it could be the final warning for God to judge humanity. Humanity will feel the repercussions of telling lies on the day of Doomsday when God will judge humanity. 

Bacon cites Luke 18:8, emphasizing that when Christ returns to the earth, he shall not find faith in humanity. He believes the world will be full of liars, according to Pitcher (63n15).

It argues that lying is a moral wrong with personal and societal consequences. It makes one internally corrupted and weakens human relationships. Lies also disrespect divine principles and likely invoke divine judgment. 

Therefore, honesty is crucial for both moral integrity and the foundation of society.

What is the main idea of the essay “Of Truth”?

The central idea of the essay is the value and benefits of truthfulness. Truth has value, and there are benefits to being truthful. Lies might offer temporary pleasure. However, truth has a deep and lasting significance for individuals. We have discussed a summary, line-by-line explanation, and the theme of the essay in the following paragraphs, all explained in simple language.

What is the writing style of Francis Bacon in “Of Truth”?

Bacon uses an aphoristic style in the essay. An aphoristic style means conveying complex and deep ideas in just a few words. Bacon uses this method in his essays, including “Of Truth”, “ Of Love ”, “Of Studies”, and others. For instance, the statement from “Of Truth”, “But it is not only the difficulty and labor, which men take in finding out the truth, nor again, that when it is found, it imposes upon men’s thoughts, that doth bring lies in favor; but a natural, though corrupt love, of the lie itself,’ is aphoristic. It captures human nature and our relationship with truth and falsehood and their natural inclination towards falsehood in a brief and thought-provoking manner.

When was “Of Truth” published?

“Of Truth” appeared in the later edition of the essay collection titled  Essays or Counsels, Civil and Moral  in 1625, although the collection was first published in 1597.

• Bacon, Francis. “Of Truth.” Francis Bacon: The Essays , edited by John Pitcher, Penguin Books, 1985, pp. 61-63.
• Bandura, Albert. “Social Cognitive theory of Mass Communications.” Media effects: Advances in theory and Research , edited by J. Bryant and D. Zillman,NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum, 2001, pp. 121-153.
• Valkenburg, Patti M., and Jessica Taylor Piotrowski. Plugged In: How Media Attract and Affect Youth , Yale University Press, 2017.

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Of Truth – Francis Bacon – Complete Explanation

by Francis Bacon

Complete explanation of the essay alongside the original text

WHAT is truth? said jesting Pilate, and would not stay for an answer.

Explanation

Here Francis Bacon refers to Pontius Pilate, who occupied a position of influence in Emperor Tiberius’s court. For his involvement in the persecution of Jesus Christ, Pilate was not looked upon favourably by Christians. He enjoyed a somewhat sullied reputation. Here Bacon takes Pilate’s name to express how humans, in general, avoid Truth. They find Truth inconvenient and difficult to imbibe.

Certainly there be that delight in giddiness, and count it a bondage to fix a belief; affecting free-will in thinking, as well as in acting.

People do not seek Truth, and enjoy resorting to falsehood and lies. People like ambiguity , and inaccuracy, so that they can couch the harshness of Truth in convenient language.

And though the sects of philosophers, of that kind be gone, yet there remain certain discoursing wits which are of the same veins, though there be not so much blood in them as was in those of the ancients.

Bacon goes back to the ancient Greek philosophers, who often lost their way while looking to ascertain what really ‘truth’ was. He laments the fact that some of these independent-minded, free-thinking philosophers proposed that there was nothing real as ‘truth’. But, while trying to prove the contrary, they soon wavered, and came out with conflicting decisions. These types of thinkers have all but ceased to exist. The present day ones lack the rigor and verve of the ancient great minds. They are paler versions of their illustrious predecessors. Nevertheless, they, too, doubt the existence of truth, and tend to drift towards falsehood.

But it is not only the difficulty and labor which men take in finding out of truth, nor again that when it is found it imposeth upon men’s thoughts, that doth bring lies in favor; but a natural though corrupt love of the lie itself.

Undoubtedly, people do make very sincere and strenuous attempts to discover ‘truth’. They succeed, but regrettably, they find the burden and demands of ‘truth’ to be unbearable. Expediently, they abandon the pursuit of ‘truth’, and drift towards ‘lies’ knowingly very well that resorting to ‘lies’ is degrading. The world of ‘lies’ is dark, but people, somehow’ develop a fascination for lies at the expense of truth.

One of the later school of the Grecians examineth the matter and is at a stand to think what should be in it, that men should love lies, where neither they make for pleasure, as with poets, nor for advantage, as with the merchant; but for the lie’s sake.

Some Greek philosophers of later periods delved in to this matter. They tried to know why and what attracts people towards ‘lies’. In poetry, some distortion of truth adds to a poem’s literary beauty. So allowance needs to be made to accommodate fantasy and fiction as they enhance the readers’ literary pleasure. Merchants and traders resort to a certain amount of falsehood to entice the customers to buy their merchandize. But, why do common folks resort to lies despite knowing its unsavoury consequences.

But I cannot tell; this same truth is a naked and open day-light, that doth not show the masks and mummeries and triumphs of the world, half so stately and daintily as candle-lights.

‘Truth’ depicts everything very honestly, faithfully and transparently. There is no place for extravagant praise or derision, superficial description or sycophantic eulogy in ‘truth’. Emperors, heroes, military commanders and other men and women of prominence are described with the minimum laudatory language. Truth builds no artificial aura of greatness around them. So, bereft of their unrealistic praise, they appear vastly diminished in stature.

Truth may perhaps come to the price of a pearl, that showeth best by day; but it will not rise to the price of a diamond or carbuncle, that showeth best in varied lights.

A pearl shines in the day. A diamond or a carbuncle glow at night giving an unreal feeling of light in the midst of total darkness. ‘Truth’ is like a pearl. It shows what is visible to the naked eye. It can’t show anything by lighting up something unrealistically. Only ‘falsehood’ has that capacity to make something apparent in total darkness.

A mixture of a lie doth ever add pleasure. Doth any man doubt, that if there were taken out of men’s minds vain opinions, flattering hopes, false valuations, imaginations as one would, and the like, but it would leave the minds of a number of men poor shrunken things, full of melancholy and indisposition, and unpleasing to themselves?

A cocktail of lies and truth has the potency to please humans more than only lies or only truth. Bacon, paradoxically, suggests the utility of such combination of lies and truth. If everything is portrayed in their true colours with no addition of superficial praise, flaterring comments and allusions, the society will appear drab and indolent. Vanity and aggrandizement induce creativity, energy and intellectual activity. For example, if a poet is not felicitated or a player is not rewarded, how will they be motivated to reach higher levels of accomplishments? While showering praise, use of a certain amount of unreal description of one’s feat is needed. Otherwise, the praise will be bland and ineffective.

One of the fathers, in great severity, called poesy vinum dæmonum [devils’-wine], because it filleth the imagination; and yet it is but with the shadow of a lie. But it is not the lie that passeth through the mind, but the lie that sinketh in and settleth in it, that doth the hurt; such as we spake of before.

Some very revered men of great wisdom denigrated poetry saying it contained lies. They felt, the poet adds fiction, exaggerations, allusions etc. to his poem to impart it some charm and attraction for the reader. Bacon says, most of these lies actually may not stay permanently in the mind of the reader. However, a part of such falsehood does get embedded in the reader’s mind impairing the sense of the readers. This could indeed be a sad consequence of reading poetry.

But howsoever these things are thus in men’s depraved judgments and affections, yet truth, which only doth judge itself, teacheth that the inquiry of truth, which is the love-making or wooing of it, the knowledge of truth, which is the presence of it, and the belief of truth, which is the enjoying of it, is the sovereign good of human nature.

So, lies, undoubtedly, deprave the mind. Truth, on the other hand, remains unblemished always. It is absolute and does not lend itself to differing interpretations. Inquiry of truth is a romantic pursuit that demands indulgence of the pursuer. Knowledge of truth means owning this unique gift. When one reposes absolute faith in truth, the feeling becomes very enjoyable . It symbolizes the ultimate good of human nature.

The first creature of God, in the works of the days, was the light of the sense; the last was the light of reason; and his sabbath work ever since is the illumination of his Spirit. First he breathed light upon the face of the matter or chaos; then he breathed light into the face of man; and still he breatheth and inspireth light into the face of his chosen.

When God created the world, He gave the light of sense to the mankind. Using this, human beings could see and feel the world around them. Then God gave the power of reason. Using this, human beings could reason what was good or bad in the things happening pr being said around them. As a result, human beings got the power of enlightenment. After this, God radiated light that illuminated the world which was so disorderly then. Then His light fell on human beings to make them superior in knowledge and wisdom to other species. After this, He focused his kindly light on the face of those human beings whom He loved most.

The poet that beautified the sect that was otherwise inferior to the rest, saith yet excellently well: It is a pleasure to stand upon the shore and to see ships tossed upon the sea; a pleasure to stand in the window of a castle and to see a battle and the adventures thereof below: but no pleasure is comparable to the standing upon the vantage ground of truth (a hill not to be commanded, and where the air is always clear and serene), and to see the errors and wanderings and mists and tempests in the vale below; so always that this prospect be with pity, and not with swelling or pride. Certainly, it is heaven upon earth, to have a man’s mind move in charity, rest in providence, and turn upon the poles of truth.

When one stands in the sea beach and gets to see ships being rocked violently by the winds, it becomes a breath-taking experience. In the same way, one can stand by the window of a high castle and watch the fight raging below. This also is a unique experience. In the same way, when a human being can realize truth, he can feel as if he stands atop a high mountain enjoying its beauty and bliss. But attaining such an exalted status must not make the man to feel proud. Instead, he should be humble, and benign towards others. He should engage in charity.

To pass from theological and philosophical truth to the truth of civil business; it will be acknowledged even by those that practise it not, that clear and round dealing is the honor of man’s nature; and that mixture of falsehood is like alloy in coin of gold and silver, which may make the metal work the better, but it embaseth it. For these winding and crooked courses are the goings of the serpent; which goeth basely upon the belly, and not upon the feet. There is no vice that doth so cover a man with shame as to be found false and perfidious. And therefore Montaigne saith prettily, when he inquired the reason why the word of the lie should be such a disgrace and such an odious charge.

Theosophical and philosophical truth belong to a certain domain. While dealing with our day-to-day mundane matters, one finds it difficult to stick to the truth always. To make his business and dealings smoother, he mixes some lies to his dealings. This, at times, appears to be a practical necessity. Although, he might succeed and emerge a winner, such conduct is vile and degrading. It is like an alloy where a foreign element is added in small quantities to a metal like gold and silver to give it more strength and toughness. However, such alloying robs the silver or gold of its luster. It is like a snake that moves on its belly always, and can never stand up erect and upright. This is why, eminent men like Montaigne declared that falsehood was universally degrading and loathsome.

Saith he, If it be well weighed, to say that a man lieth, is as much to say, as that he is brave towards God and a coward towards men. For a lie faces God, and shrinks from man. Surely the wickedness of falsehood and breach of faith cannot possibly be so highly expressed, as in that it shall be the last peal to call the judgments of God upon the generations of men; it being foretold that when Christ cometh, he shall not find faith upon the earth.

When analyzed deeply, he said, it means that a person who lies is afraid of ordinary mortals and has the temerity to face God. He is a lowly soul bereft of any wisdom or intellectual heft. When the Day of the Judgment arrives, a person who has lied all his life, can not face God, and will be punished for his guilt. It has been said that gradual erosion of moral values in the world will slowly drag the earth to a state where ‘Faith’ ceases to exist.

Click here for explanations of more essays by Francis Bacon.

Elsewhere in the blog

La Belle Dame sans Merci: A Ballad by John Keats

Click on: http://www.englishcharity.com/la-belle-dame-sans-merci-a-ballad-by-john-keats/

On His Blindness by John Milton

Click on: http://www.englishcharity.com/on-his-blindness-by-john-milton/

The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe

Click on: http://www.englishcharity.com/the-fall-of-the-house-of-usher-by-edgar-allan-poe/

A Happy Man by W. Somerset Maugham

Click on: http://www.englishcharity.com/a-happy-man-by-w-somerset-maugham/

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Thank you for commenting! Do read the explanations for other Francis Bacon Essays on our blog. https://www.englishcharity.com/category/literature/francis-bacon-literature/

It was explained really well.Thankyou

Of Truth by Francis Bacon

WHAT is truth? said jesting Pilate, and would not stay for an answer. Certainly there be that delight in giddiness, and count it a bondage to fix a belief; affecting 1 free-will in thinking, as well as in acting. And though the sects of philosophers, of that kind 2 be gone, yet there remain certain discoursing 3 wits which are of the same veins, though there be not so much blood in them as was in those of the ancients. But it is not only the difficulty and labor which men take in finding out of truth, nor again that when it is found it imposeth upon 4 men’s thoughts, that doth bring lies in favor; but a natural though corrupt love of the lie itself. One of the later school 5 of the Grecians examineth the matter and is at a stand to think what should be in it, that men should love lies, where neither they make for pleasure, as with poets, nor for advantage, as with the merchant; but for the lie’s sake. But I cannot tell; this same truth is a naked and open day-light, that doth not show the masks and mummeries and triumphs of the world, half so stately and daintily as candle-lights. Truth may perhaps come to the price of a pearl, that showeth best by day; but it will not rise to the price of a diamond or carbuncle, that showeth best in varied lights. A mixture of a lie doth ever add pleasure. Doth any man doubt, that if there were taken out of men’s minds vain opinions, flattering hopes, false valuations, imaginations as one would, and the like, but it would leave the minds of a number of men poor shrunken things, full of melancholy and indisposition, and unpleasing to themselves?

One of the fathers, in great severity, called poesy vinum dæmonum [devils’-wine], because it filleth the imagination; and yet it is but with the shadow of a lie. But it is not the lie that passeth through the mind, but the lie that sinketh in and settleth in it, that doth the hurt; such as we spake of before. But howsoever these things are thus in men’s depraved judgments and affections, yet truth, which only doth judge itself, teacheth that the inquiry of truth, which is the love-making or wooing of it, the knowledge of truth, which is the presence of it, and the belief of truth, which is the enjoying of it, is the sovereign good of human nature. The first creature of God, in the works of the days, was the light of the sense; the last was the light of reason; and his sabbath work ever since is the illumination of his Spirit. First he breathed light upon the face of the matter or chaos; then he breathed light into the face of man; and still he breatheth and inspireth light into the face of his chosen. The poet 6 that beautified the sect 7 that was otherwise inferior to the rest, saith yet excellently well: It is a pleasure to stand upon the shore and to see ships tossed upon the sea; a pleasure to stand in the window of a castle and to see a battle and the adventures thereof below: but no pleasure is comparable to the standing upon the vantage ground of truth (a hill not to be commanded, and where the air is always clear and serene), and to see the errors and wanderings and mists and tempests in the vale below ; so always that this prospect be with pity, and not with swelling or pride. Certainly, it is heaven upon earth, to have a man’s mind move in charity, rest in providence, and turn upon the poles of truth.

To pass from theological and philosophical truth to the truth of civil business; it will be acknowledged even by those that practise it not, that clear and round dealing is the honor of man’s nature; and that mixture of falsehood is like alloy in coin of gold and silver, which may make the metal work the better, but it embaseth it. For these winding and crooked courses are the goings of the serpent; which goeth basely upon the belly, and not upon the feet. There is no vice that doth so cover a man with shame as to be found false and perfidious. And therefore Montaigne saith prettily, when he inquired the reason why the word of the lie should be such a disgrace and such an odious charge. Saith he, If it be well weighed, to say that a man lieth, is as much to say, as that he is brave towards God and a coward towards men . For a lie faces God, and shrinks from man. Surely the wickedness of falsehood and breach of faith cannot possibly be so highly expressed, as in that it shall be the last peal to call the judgments of God upon the generations of men; it being foretold that when Christ cometh, he shall not find faith upon the earth .

More from Francis Bacon :

• Of Vicissitude of Things
• Of Judicature
• Of Honor and Reputation
• Of Vain-glory

Of Truth Critical Analysis by Sir Francis Bacon along with Summary

The world knows Sir Francis Bacon for his worldly wisdom. He had made an analysis of the world and in “Of Truth”, he guided his readers on how to get success even in critical situations. Alexander Pope called Bacon the meanest kind of person because of his worldly philosophy. Bacon always focuses on worldly benefits and rarely talks about the fruits of eternal life. In “Of Truth”, he speaks in favor of the truth; he also differentiates it from lie and forces us to speak the truth in every situation. He supports his arguments through solid quotations.

“Of Truth” Summary and Critical Analysis:

Sir Francis Bacon starts his essay while referring the Ancient Roman Governor Pilate, who made the situation critical without doing an analysis of truth. Pilate asked for truth but did not wait for it. If he would have known the truth, he may have not passed the judgment to crucify the Christ. He then talks about skeptical minds, who are not easily convincible. He doubts that Pilate was also skeptical. Definitely, there are people who do not have strong beliefs. Numerous people are there in the world, who change their minds frequently. They consider that fixed beliefs are a sign of mental slavery. Whenever they think or take decisions, they use their free will; they stubbornly ignore every belief. In Greeks, there was a school of philosophers having skeptics. They may have died now but skeptical people are there even today in this world.

Why Do Not People Speak the Truth?

How is the truth different from lie.

Bacon gives a real-life example. He says that if the audience sees a spectacle on the stage in daylight it will look as it is. On the other hand, if the same show is presented with candlelight then it will attract more people; it would definitely give pleasure to the audience. Lie, in the same way, has a beautiful and shiny cover, due to which people like lie instead of truth. However, if the truth were mixed with a lie then it would also give pleasure. Moreover, people have created their own false beliefs, judgments, and opinions. If these things were snatched from them, their condition would become miserable as these things give them hope and strange kind of pleasure.

Critical Analysis of “Of Truth” Shows that Poetry is Harmful?

Truth ends pride:, importance of truth:.

If we deeply do critical analysis “Of Truth” then we realize that Bacon truth has its own significance. Falsehood brings disgrace and truth brings honor. Even those persons, who do not speak truth, know its worth. Furthermore, the truth is required not only in the field of theology and philosophy but also in every field of life. Bacon refers Montaigne, who says that a liar is always brave towards God but coward towards humans. By telling a lie, a liar directly challenges God. He knows that he has to face God on doomsday yet he promotes falsehood. Thus, he is brave enough to get punishment in enteral life.

Conclusion of “Of Truth Critical Analysis”:

Watch the video instead of reading the article “Critical Analysis of “Of Truth”.

Of Truth | Francis Bacon | Summary | Questions Answers

Table of Contents

Of Truth By Francis Bacon | Summary

Summary of “of truth”.

Francis Bacon’s essay Of Truth is one of his more famous essays. The essay begins by making a genial observation: it mocks those who refuse to admit that there is objective truth that needs to be acknowledged by all. Bacon almost laughs as he says that people oft have a natural love of lying even when lying yields no notable advantage. ‘Truth’ resembles light, but Bacon opines that many people prefer to flirt with darkness because they take some pleasure in lies and take to lying almost without need. Bacon who might have had faced a debacle with allegations labeled against him at the ripe age of 60; however, asserts that truth is the greatest good that a man can possess. Where does Truth come from and why it is so important? Bacon has the answer – he asserts that Truth comes from God and consequently it brings us close to God, and naturally truth provides us with greatest pleasure.

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Questions and Answers

Q. What is the main theme of the essay of truth?

Answer : His writing style is aphoristic which means a compact, condensed and epigrammatic style of writing. He was expert in expressing truth in a few possible words with beauty. His essays are an example of this aphoristic style. His essay “Of Truth” has many examples of the aphoristic style.

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Francis Bacon

What is truth? said jesting Pilate, and would not stay for an answer. Certainly there be, that delight in giddiness, and count it a bondage to fix a belief; affecting free-will in thinking, as well as in acting. And though the sects of philosophers of that kind be gone, yet there remain certain discoursing wits, which are of the same veins, though there be not so much blood in them, as was in those of the ancients. But it is not only the difficulty and labor, which men take in finding out of truth, nor again, that when it is found, it imposeth upon men’s thoughts, that doth bring lies in favor; but a natural though corrupt love, of the lie itself. One of the later school of the Grecians, examineth the matter, and is at a stand, to think what should be in it, that men should love lies; where neither they make for pleasure, as with poets, nor for advantage, as with the merchant; but for the lie’s sake. But I cannot tell; this same truth, is a naked, and open day-light, that doth not show the masks, and mummeries, and triumphs, of the world, half so stately and daintily as candle-lights. Truth may perhaps come to the price of a pearl, that showeth best by day; but it will not rise to the price of a diamond, or carbuncle, that showeth best in varied lights. A mixture of a lie doth ever add pleasure. Doth any man doubt, that if there were taken out of men’s minds, vain opinions, flattering hopes, false valuations, imaginations as one would, and the like, but it would leave the minds, of a number of men, poor shrunken things, full of melancholy and indisposition, and unpleasing to themselves?

One of the fathers, in great severity, called poesy vinum doemonum , [the devils wine] because it filleth the imagination; and yet, it is but with the shadow of a lie. But it is not the lie that passeth through the mind, but the lie that sinketh in, and settleth in it, that doth the hurt; such as we spake of before. But, howsoever these things are thus in men’s depraved judgments, and affections, yet truth, which only doth judge itself, teacheth that the inquiry of truth, which is the love-making, or wooing of it, the knowledge of truth, which is the presence of it, and the belief of truth, which is the enjoying of it, is the sovereign good of human nature. The first creature of God, in the works of the days, was the light of the sense; the last, was the light of reason; and his sabbath work ever since, is the illumination of his Spirit. First he breathed light, upon the face of the matter or chaos; then he breathed light, into the face of man; and still he breatheth and inspireth light, into the face of his chosen. The poet, that beautified the sect, that was otherwise inferior to the rest, saith yet excellently well: It is a pleasure, to stand upon the shore, and to see ships tossed upon the sea; a pleasure, to stand in the window of a castle, and to see a battle, and the adventures thereof below: but no pleasure is comparable to the standing upon the vantage ground of truth (a hill not to be commanded, and where the air is always clear and serene), and to see the errors, and wanderings, and mists, and tempests, in the vale below; so always that this prospect be with pity, and not with swelling, or pride. Certainly, it is heaven upon earth, to have a man’s mind move in charity, rest in providence, and turn upon the poles of truth.

To pass from theological, and philosophical truth, to the truth of civil business; it will be acknowledged, even by those that practise it not, that clear, and round dealing, is the honor of man’s nature; and that mixture of falsehoods, is like alloy in coin of gold and silver, which may make the metal work the better, but it embaseth it. For these winding, and crooked courses, are the goings of the serpent; which goeth basely upon the belly, and not upon the feet. There is no vice, that doth so cover a man with shame, as to be found false and perfidious. And therefore Montaigne saith prettily, when he inquired the reason, why the word of the lie should be such a disgrace, and such an odious charge? Saith he, If it be well weighed, to say that a man lieth, is as much to say, as that he is brave towards God, and a coward towards men. For a lie faces God, and shrinks from man. Surely the wickedness of falsehood, and breach of faith, cannot possibly be so highly expressed, as in that it shall be the last peal, to call the judgments of God upon the generations of men; it being foretold, that when Christ cometh, he shall not find faith upon the earth.

MLA Citation

Bacon, Francis. “Of truth.” 1601. Quotidiana. Ed. Patrick Madden. 22 Jan 2007. 22 Aug 2024 <http://essays.quotidiana.org/bacon/truth/>.

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Quotidiana is an online anthology of "classical" essays, from antiquity to the early twentieth century. All essays and images are in the public domain. Commentaries are copyrighted, but may be used with proper attribution. Special thanks to the BYU College of Humanities and English Department for funding, and to Joey Franklin and Lara Burton , for tireless research assisting.

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Critical Appreciation of "Of Truth" by Francis Bacon

"Of Truth" by Francis Bacon invites a critical appreciation that extends beyond its historical context, delving into the profound philosophical and psychological dimensions that Bacon explores. The essay serves as a thought-provoking commentary on the human experience, truth-seeking, and the intricate relationship between truth and falsehood. Here's a detailed analysis:

1. Literary Craftsmanship:

Bacon's literary craftsmanship is evident in the essay's concise yet profound style. His use of vivid metaphors and similes, comparing truth to open daylight and falsehood to candlelight, contributes to the clarity of his arguments. The aphoristic quality of his sentences enhances the impact of his insights, showcasing a masterful command of language.

2. Psychological Insight:

The essay offers a keen insight into the complexities of human psychology. Bacon's portrayal of Pilate as a skeptic indifferent to the pursuit of truth serves as a poignant representation of humanity's tendency to evade deeper philosophical inquiries. The recognition of the corrupt love for lies and the pleasure derived from their combination with truth reveals a nuanced understanding of the human psyche.

3. Philosophical Depth:

Bacon elevates the discourse to philosophical heights by exploring metaphysical dimensions. The metaphorical comparison of truth to a pearl, shining best in daylight, and falsehood to a diamond or carbuncle, shining best in varied lights, introduces a profound contemplation on the nature of reality. The vision of heaven on earth, where the mind aligns with charity, providence, and truth, reflects Bacon's philosophical depth.

4. Ethical Considerations:

An ethical undercurrent runs through the essay, as Bacon addresses the consequences of falsehood. The analogy of falsehood as an alloy in the coin of gold and silver emphasizes the practical advantages it may bring but also underscores the debasement it introduces. This ethical stance reflects Bacon's concern for the moral integrity of individuals and society.

5. Societal Critique:

Bacon subtly critiques societal norms, pointing to the paradox of individuals being brave towards God but cowardly towards fellow humans when confronted with the truth. The prediction of a future lacking faith in God implies a skeptical view of societal values. This socio-cultural critique adds layers of meaning to the essay.

6. Timeless Relevance:

The themes explored in "Of Truth" retain their relevance across temporal and cultural boundaries. The human struggle with truth, the allure of falsehood, and the ethical considerations associated with honesty are universal, ensuring the enduring significance of the essay.

7. Emotional Resonance:

Bacon strikes a delicate balance between reason and emotion. While providing logical arguments for the supremacy of truth, he acknowledges the emotional pleasure derived from falsehood. This dual approach adds emotional resonance to the essay, acknowledging the intricate interplay between rationality and human emotions.

In conclusion, the critical appreciation of "Of Truth" unveils its layers of meaning, showcasing Bacon's literary prowess, psychological acuity, philosophical depth, ethical considerations, societal critique, and its timeless relevance in understanding the intricacies of the human condition.

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The Works of Francis Bacon/Volume 1/Essays/Of Truth

I. OF TRUTH.

What is truth? said jesting Pilate; and would not stay for an answer. Certainly there be that delight in giddiness; and count it a bondage to fix a belief; affecting free-will in thinking, as well as in acting. And though the sects of philosophers of that kind be gone, yet there remain certain discoursive wits, which are of the same veins, though there be not so much blood in them as was in those of the ancients. But it is not only the difficulty and labour which men take in finding out of truth, nor again, that when it is found, it imposeth upon men’s thoughts, that doth bring lies in favour, but a natural though corrupt love of the lie itself. One of the later schools of the Grecians examineth the matter, and is at a stand to think what should be in it, that men should love lies; where neither they make for pleasure, as with poet; nor for advantage, as with the merchant, but for the lie’s sake. But I cannot tell: this same truth is a naked and open daylight, that doth not show the masks, and mummeries, and triumphs of the world, half so stately and daintily as candlelights. Truth may perhaps come to the price of a pearl, that showeth best by day, but it will not rise to the price of a diamond or carbuncle, that showeth best in varied lights. A mixture of a lie doth ever add pleasure. Doth any man doubt, that if there were taken out of men’s minds, vain opinions, flattering hopes, false valuations, imaginations as one would, and the like, but it would leave the minds of a number of men, poor shrunken things, full of melancholy and indisposition, and unpleasing to themselves? One of the fathers, in great severity, called poesy “vinum dæmonum,”; because it filleth the imagination, and yet it is but with the shadow of a lie. But it is not the lie that passeth through the mind, but the lie that sinketh in, and settleth in it, that doth the hurt, such as we spake of before. But howsoever these things are thus in men’s depraved judgments and affections, yet truth, which only doth judge itself, teacheth, that the inquiry of truth, which is the love-making, or wooing of it, the knowledge of truth, which is the presence of it, and the belief of truth, which is the enjoying of it, is the sovereign good of human nature. The first creature of God, in the works of the days, was the light of the sense: the last was the light of reason; and his Sabbath work ever since, is the illumination of his Spirit. First, he breathed light upon the face of the matter, or chaos; then he breathed light into the face of man; and still he breatheth and inspireth light into the face of his chosen. The poet that beautified the sect, that was otherwise inferior to the rest, saith yet excellently well: “It is a pleasure to stand upon the shore, and to see ships tossed upon the sea: a pleasure to stand in the window of a castle, and to see a battle, and the adventures thereof below: but no pleasure is comparable to the standing upon the vantage ground of truth, (a hill not to be commanded, and where the air is always clear and serene,) and to see the errors, and wanderings, and mists, and tempests in the vale below:” so always that this prospect be with pity, and not with swelling or pride. Certainly, it is heaven upon earth, to have a man’s mind move in charity, rest in providence, and turn upon the poles of truth.

To pass from theological and philosophical truth, to the truth of civil business; it will be acknowledged even by those that practise it not, that clean and round dealing is the honour of man’s nature, and that mixture of falsehood is like alloy in coin of gold and silver, which may make the metal work the better, but it embaseth it. For these winding and crooked courses are the goings of the serpent; which goeth basely upon the belly, and not upon the feet. There is no vice that doth so cover a man with shame as to be found false and perfidious; and therefore Montaigne saith prettily, when he inquired the reason, why the word of the lie should be such a disgrace, and such an odious charge, saith he, “If it be well weighed, to say that a man lieth, is as much as to say, that he is brave towards God, and a coward towards men. For a lie faces God, and shrinks from man.” Surely the wickedness of falsehood and breach of faith cannot possibly be so highly expressed, as in that it shall be the last peal to call the judgments of God upon the generations of men: it being foretold, that when “Christ cometh,” he shall not “find faith upon the earth.”

This work was published before January 1, 1929, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.

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