Francis Bacon

The cord breaketh at last by the weakest pull.

The cord breaketh at last by the weakest pull.

Read not to contradict and confute; nor to believe and take for granted; nor to find talk and discourse; but read more

Read not to contradict and confute; nor to believe and take for granted; nor to find talk and discourse; but to weigh and consider. Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested: that is, some books are to be read only in parts, others to be read, but not curiously, and some few to be read wholly, and with diligence and attention.

Wives are young men's mistresses; companions for middle age; and
old men's nurses.

Wives are young men's mistresses; companions for middle age; and
old men's nurses.

Mahomet made the people believe that he would call a hill to him,
and from the top of it read more

Mahomet made the people believe that he would call a hill to him,
and from the top of it offer up his prayers for the observers of
his law. The people assembled; Mahomet called the hill to come
to him, again and again, and when the hill stood still, he was
never a whit abashed, but said, "If the hill will not come to
Mahomet, Mahomet will go to the hill."

The World's a bubble, and the Life of Man less than a span:
In his conception wretched, from the read more

The World's a bubble, and the Life of Man less than a span:
In his conception wretched, from the womb so to the tomb.
Curst from his cradle, and brought up to years with cares and
fears.
Who then to frail mortality shall trust,
But limns the water, or but writes in dust.