Bacon's Of Study
· The function or use of studies:
a.
Delight
in privacy/ retirement/ aloofness.
b.
Embellishing
or decorating (rhetoric, proverbs, idioms, quotations etc.) conversation or
interaction in a rhythmical way.
c.
Practical
use/ Pragmatic use/ Business management/ chalking out plans.
· The abuses/ disadvantages/ demerits/ defects of studies:
a.
Spending
too much time in studies makes one idle and lazy in temperament (Sloth).
b.
Needless
or vain display of learning/ pedantry/ sounds like an empty vessel (Affection).
c.
Blind
faith on the bookish rules and principles spoils our inherent talent and
judgemental power. (Humour of scholars)
· “...for
natural abilities are like natural plants that need pruning by study...”
A beautiful
simile is used here. Just as a plant that grows wildly have to be pruned or
trimmed in order to look beautiful, similarly our natural abilities should have
to be properly directed, guided and shaped by studies so that they may be truly
effective.
· Different outlooks towards study:
a.
Crafty
(cunning/ shrewd) men hate (condemn/ disregard) studies. They always want to
put their brain above bookish knowledge.
b.
Simple
(illiterate/ unsophisticated/ uneducated) admire (worship/ praise) study and
those persons who excel in studies and capture a high rank in society.
c.
Wise
(intelligent/ witty) persons utilize the best exercise of studies. They are not
mere doctrinaire. Observation and experience of life give the coup de grace (richness)
to the fruit of study.
· Rules of study:
a.
Obviously
not to contradict, oppose or refute to other’s opinion.
b.
Weigh
and consider whatever we read. We should analyse the book aptly. We should
judge and value every proposition.
c.
Distinction
between to be read:
I.
Tasted:- To be read in part/ sampled
(tasting like bitter gourd and pickle)
II.
Swallowed: - To be read completely without
much care/ attention/ concentration/ getting the inner meaning. (eating rice
and curry as these are essential)
III.
Chewed and Digested:- To be read with diligence/
grasp/ attention/ line by line. (Enjoying the taste of chicken or mutton curry)
· “...distilled
books are like common distilled waters, flashy things.”
The study of
books by means of notes, summary and analyses is tasteless/ insipid like the
distilled water. It lacks the real charm.
· Different modes of studying:
a.
Reading: A man can sharpen his
understanding/ knowledge/ power of mind/ thought. (Full Man)
b.
Conference
or Conversation:
makes a man quick/ alert/ smart. (Ready Man)
c.
Writing: It makes a man exact/ accurate/
precise. It fixes our ideas and thoughts permanently in our memory.
· The value of different studies:
a.
History: fosters wisdom (past records,
dates, anecdotes, events, experiences)
b.
Poetry: fosters imaginations/ ready wit/
fancy/ inventive power.
c.
Mathematics: refines intellect.
d.
Philosophy:
1) Natural: fosters
depth
2) Moral: fosters
gravity/ seriousness.
e. Logic: grows the art of reasoning and
argument
f. Rhetoric: increases impressive speaking
power/ oratory.
· “Abeunt studia in mores.”
This Latin expression
quoted from Ovid’s Heroides.
Studies mould our character in a perfect way. It surely changes our attitude
upon everything.
· Study’s medical power of healing mental diseases:
a. Physical
Exercise:
I.
Bowling:
good for kidneys (stone and reins)
II.
Shooting:
good for lungs and breast.
III.
Gentle
walking: good for digestion.
IV.
Riding:
good for head.
b. Mental
Exercise:
I.
Mathematics:
good for wandering wits/ makes us concentrative.
II.
Scholastic
philosophy (Middle Ages): good for confusion of thought/ helps us realizing
matters.
III.
Lawyer’s
cases: good for training memory.
~~~~~*~~~~~
0 Comments
Post a Comment