1. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Text:
STUDIES serve for delight, for ornament, and for ability. Their chief use for delight,
is in privateness and retiring; for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability, is in the
judgment, and disposition of business. For expert men can execute, and perhaps judge
of particulars, one by one; but the general counsels, and the plots and marshalling of
affairs, come best, from those that are learned. To spend too much time in studies is
sloth; to use them too much for ornament, is affectation; to make judgment wholly by
their rules, is the humor of a scholar. They perfect nature, and are perfected by
experience: for natural abilities are like natural plants, that need proyning, by study;
and studies themselves, do give forth directions too much at large, except they be
bounded in by experience. Crafty men contemn studies, simple men admire them, and
wise men use them; for they teach not their own use; but that is a wisdom without
them, and above them, won by observation. 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. Some
1. Of Studies
By Francis Bacon
(Notes prepared by
Dr. G. N. Khamankar)

2. books also may be read by deputy, and extracts made of them by others; but that
would be only in the less important arguments, and the meaner sort of books, else
distilled books are like common distilled waters, flashy things. Reading maketh a full
man; conference a ready man; and writing an exact man. And therefore, if a man write
little, he had need have a great memory; if he confer little, he had need have a present
wit: and if he read little, he had need have much cunning, to seem to know, that he
doth not. Histories make men wise; poets witty; the mathematics subtile; natural
philosophy deep; moral grave; logic and rhetoric able to contend. Abeunt studia in
mores. Nay, there is no stond or impediment in the wit, but may be wrought out by fit
studies; like as diseases of the body, may have appropriate exercises. Bowling is good
for the stone and reins; shooting for the lungs and breast; gentle walking for the
stomach; riding for the head; and the like. So if a man’s wit be wandering, let him
study the mathematics; for in demonstrations, if his wit be called away never so little,
he must begin again. If his wit be not apt to distinguish or find differences, let him
study the Schoolmen; for they are cymini sectores. If he be not apt to beat over
matters, and to call up one thing to prove and illustrate another, let him study 197 the
lawyers’ cases. So every defect of the mind, may have a special receipt.
……………………………………………………………………………………….
.

3. Of Studies | Francis Bacon | Summary
In this essay Bacon highlights the importance of studies in human life. Bacon begins the
essay by enlisting three purposes of studies – “to delight, for ornament and for ability.”
Studies delight most when one is secluded and reposed. Knowledge acquired through studies
serve as ornament in a conversation. A well read man will have a good vocabulary and
greater knowledge which will increase the worth of a conversation. Studies improve one’s
judgmental and authoritative abilities. Ordinary men can no doubt go about their daily
business without difficulty but a learned man will do so with higher efficiency. Bacon
however says that studying too much is a sign of laziness and using too many ornaments
while conversing makes one look pretentious. To make judgments only on the basis of rules
is the eccentricity of a scholar.
Studies make a man perfect. Studying is not an inborn talent; it is acquired. The natural
abilities of man are to be enhanced by studies just like the growth of plants is enhanced by
trimming. Studies provide both direction and experience. Practical men often condemn
studies but wise men use it. Studies teach man to learn from observation. One must not use
knowledge as a means of contradiction or confutation. Studies must also not be used to
believe or to take for granted, or to talk and discourse but “to weigh and consider”.
Then Bacon speaks about the different ways in which different books are to be read. He says
– “Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and
digested.” This means some books are to be perused lightly, that is, tasted while some other
books are to be understood and enjoyed, that is, swallowed. On the other hand certain books
are to be digested, that it, to fully extract their meaning and implemented in one’s life.
Therefore some books are to be read only in parts, others are to be read with less curiosity,
and some books are to be read with attention and diligence. Bacon however also says that
sometimes it may be enough to read extracts or reviews of books made by others instead of
reading the whole book by oneself. But according to Bacon this is to be done only in case of
books of less importance. He considers these “distilled books” to distilled waters which he
calls “flashy things”.
Reading makes a man complete, conversation makes a man quick and witty, and writing
improves the memory. If a man writes less he will lack a good memory, if he speaks little he
will lack wit and presence of mind, and if he reads less he will not have much knowledge.
A study of history makes a man wise while a study of poetry makes him witty. Mathematics
makes a man exact and precise and natural philosophy increases the depth of the mind.
Morals make a man grave whereas a study of logic and rhetoric makes him more
comprehensive. Studies pass into character. A man’s character is influenced and defined by
the type of books he reads.
There is no disease of the mind that cannot be cured by proper study. Bowling is good for the
bladder and the kidneys, shooting for the lungs and breast, walking for the stomach and
riding is good for the head. Similarly mathematics is the remedy for a wandering mind
because if a man’s mind wanders while solving a problem he will have to begin again. If a
man is unable to make distinctions he must study schoolmen and if he is not quick in passing
through matters he should study the law. Thus Bacon concludes the essay by establishing that
for every deficit of the mind a remedy is to be found in studies.

4. Marathi Translation:
अभ्यास | फ्रान्सिस बेकन |
साराांश
या निबंधात बेकि मािवी जीविातील अभ्यासाचे महत्त्व वर्णि करतो. अभ्यासाचे तीि उद्दीष्ट - “आिंद
देर्े, अलंकार व कततणत्व” या िावािे या निबंधाची सुरूवात होते. जेव्हा एखादी गोष्ट निजणि आनर् सोडली
जाते तेव्हा अभ्यासाचा सवाणत जास्त आिंद होतो. अभ्यासाद्वारे नमळनवलेले ज्ञाि संभाषर्ात अलंकार
म्हर्ूि काम करते. चांगल्या वाचिािे मार्साकडे चांगले शब्दसंग्रह आनर् जास्त ज्ञाि असते ज्यामुळे
संभाषर्ाचे मूल्य वाढेल. अभ्यास एखाद्याच्या निवाडा आनर् अनधक
त त क्षमता सुधाररत करतो. सामान्य
पुरुष अडचर्ीनविा त्ांच्या दैिंनदि व्यवसायाबद्दल िक्कीच पुढे जाऊ शकतात परंतु एक नशकलेला
मार्ूस उच्च कायणक्षमतेिे हे करेल. जास्त अभ्यास करर्े हे आळशीपर्ाचे लक्षर् आहे आनर् संभाषर्
करतािा बरेच दानगिे वापरर्े एखाद्याला लज्जास्पद नदसते. क
े वळ नियमांच्या आधारे न्यायनिवाडा करर्े
म्हर्जे एखाद्या नवद्वत्तेची नवनक्षप्तपर्ा.
अभ्यास मार्साला पररपूर्ण बिवतात. अभ्यास करर्े ही जन्मजात प्रनतभा िाही; ते अनधग्रहर् क
े ले आहे.
मािवाच्या िैसनगणक क्षमतेत जसे अभ्यासाद्वारे वतक्षांची वाढ होते त्ाप्रमार्ेच झाडाची वाढ सुव्यवस्थित
करुि वाढनवली जाते. अभ्यास दोन्ही नदशा आनर् अिुभव प्रदाि करतात. प्रॅस्िकल पुरुष अिेकदा
अभ्यासाचा निषेध करतात पर् शहार्े लोक त्ाचा वापर करतात. अभ्यास मार्साला निरीक्षर्ापासूि
नशकण्यास नशकवतो. एखाद्यािे ज्ञाि नवरोधाभास नक
ं वा मतभेद म्हर्ूि वापरले जाऊ िये. अभ्यासाचा
उपयोग नवश्वास ठे वण्यासाठी नक
ं वा मान्य करण्यास नक
ं वा भाषर् व प्रवचि करण्यासाठी देखील क
े ला
जाऊ शकत िाही परंतु “तोलर्े आनर् नवचार करर्े” देखील आवश्यक आहे.
मग बेकि वेगवेगळ्या मागाांबद्दल सांगतो ज्यामध्ये नभन्न पुस्तक
े वाचायच्या आहेत. तो म्हर्तो - “काही
पुस्तक
े चाखली पानहजेत, काही नगळली जावीत, आनर् काही पुस्तक
े चघळली गेली आनर् पचली
जायची.” याचा अिण असा आहे की काही पुस्तक
े हलकीपर्े वापरली जात आहेत, म्हर्जेच इतर काही
पुस्तक
े समजूि घ्यावी लागतील आनर् त्ाचा आिंद घ्यावा लागेल, म्हर्जे नगळले गेले आहेत. दुसरीकडे
काही पुस्तक
े पचनवली पानहजेत, ती म्हर्जे त्ांचा अिण पूर्णपर्े काढता यावी आनर् एखाद्याच्या
आयुष्यात ती अंमलात आर्ली जावीत. म्हर्ूि काही पुस्तक
े क
े वळ भागांमध्येच वाचली पानहजेत, तर
इतरांिा कमी क
ु तूहल वाचिािे वाचले जावे लागेल आनर् काही पुस्तक
े लक्षपूवणक आनर् व्यासंगी वाचली
पानहजेत. कधीकधी संपूर्ण पुस्तक स्वतः वाचण्याऐवजी इतरांिी काढलेल्या पुस्तकांचे अक
ण नक
ं वा
आढावा वाचर्े पुरेसे असू शकते. परंतु बेकिच्या मते हे क
े वळ कमी महत्त्व असर्ार्या पुस्तकांच्या
बाबतीतच क
े ले पानहजे. तो या “नडस्िल्ड पुस्तक
े ” नडस्िल्ड वॉटरला माितो ज्याला तो “लहरी गोष्टी”
म्हर्तो.
वाचि मार्साला पूर्ण बिवते, संभाषर् मार्साला द्रुत आनर् चतुर करते आनर् नलखार्ामुळे
स्मरर्शक्ती सुधारते. जर मार्ूस कमी नलनहत असेल तर त्ाला चांगली आठवर् िसते, जर त्ािे िोडेसे
बोलले तर त्ाला बुद्धी व मिाची उपस्थिती असेल आनर् जर त्ािे कमी वाचले तर त्ाला जास्त ज्ञाि
िाही.
इनतहासाचा अभ्यास मार्साला शहार्े बिनवतो तर काव्याच्या अभ्यासािे त्ाला लज्जास्पद बिते. गनर्ते
मार्साला अचूक आनर् अचूक बिवतात आनर् िैसनगणक तत्वज्ञाि मिाची खोली वाढवते. िैनतकता
मार्साला गंभीर बिवतात तर तक
ण शास्त्र व वक्ततत्व यांच्या अभ्यासामुळे तो अनधक व्यापक बितो.
अभ्यास चाररत्र्यात जातात. मार्साच्या चाररत्र्यावर प्रभाव पडतो आनर् तो वाचतो अशा प्रकारच्या
पुस्तकांच्या प्रकारािे पररभानषत क
े ला जातो.
मिाचा कोर्ताही आजार िाही जो योग्य अभ्यासािे बरे होऊ शकत िाही. बॉनलंग मूत्राशय आनर्
मूत्रनपंडांसाठी चांगले आहे, फ
ु फ्फ
ु स आनर् स्तिासाठी शूट करर्े, पोटासाठी चालर्े आनर् स्वार होर्े
डोक
े साठी चांगले आहे. तसेच गनर्त हा भटक्या मिावर उपाय आहे कारर् एखाद्या समस्येचे निराकरर्

5. करतािा मार्साचे मि भटकत असेल तर त्ाला पुन्हा सुरुवात करावी लागेल. जर एखादा मार्ूस फरक
करण्यास असमिण असेल तर त्ािे शालेय नवद्यार्थ्ाांचा अभ्यास क
े ला पानहजे आनर् जर तो उत्तीर्ण होत
िसेल तर त्ािे कायद्याचा अभ्यास क
े ला पानहजे. मिाच्या प्रत्ेक कमतरतेसाठी अभ्यासामध्ये एखादा
उपाय शोधला जार्े आवश्यक आहे.
………………………………………………………………….xxxxx…………………………………………
In Hindi
अध्ययन | फ्राांससस बेकन |
साराांश
इस निबंध में बेकि िे मािव जीवि में अध्ययि क
े महत्व का वर्णि नकया है। बेकि िे अध्ययि क
े तीि
उद्देश्यों को सूचीबद्ध करक
े निबंध शुरू नकया - "आिंद क
े नलए, आभूषर् क
े नलए और क्षमता क
े
नलए।" जब एकांत और पुिरावतनत्त होती है तो सबसे ज्यादा खुशी होती है। अध्ययि क
े माध्यम से अनजणत
ज्ञाि एक वाताणलाप में आभूषर् क
े रूप में कायण करता है। एक अच्छी तरह से पढा हुआ आदमी एक
अच्छी शब्दावली और अनधक से अनधक ज्ञाि रखेगा जो बातचीत क
े लायक बढाएगा। अध्ययि नकसी क
े
न्यानयक और आनधकाररक क्षमताओं में सुधार करता है। साधारर् पुरुष नबिा नकसी कनठिाई क
े अपिे
दैनिक व्यवसाय क
े बारे में संदेह कर सकते हैं लेनकि एक नवद्वाि व्यस्क्त उच्च दक्षता क
े साि ऐसा
करेगा। बेकि हालांनक यह कहते हैं नक बहुत अनधक अध्ययि करिा आलस्य का संक
े त है और
बातचीत करते समय बहुत सारे गहिों का उपयोग करिा नकसी को नदखावा बिाता है। क
े वल नियमों क
े
आधार पर निर्णय करिा नवद्वाि की नवलक्षर्ता है।
अध्ययि मिुष्य को पररपूर्ण बिाते हैं। अध्ययि एक जन्मजात प्रनतभा िहीं है; इसे हानसल कर नलया गया
है। मिुष्य की प्राक
त नतक क्षमताओं का अध्ययि वैसे ही नकया जािा चानहए जैसे पौधों की वतस्द्ध को नटिनमंग
द्वारा बढाया जाता है। अध्ययि दोिों नदशा और अिुभव प्रदाि करते हैं। व्यावहाररक पुरुष अक्सर
अध्ययि की निंदा करते हैं लेनकि बुस्द्धमाि पुरुष इसका उपयोग करते हैं। अध्ययि मिुष्य को
अवलोकि से सीखिे क
े नलए नसखाते हैं। नकसी को नवरोधाभास या भ्रम क
े साधि क
े रूप में ज्ञाि का
उपयोग िहीं करिा चानहए। अध्ययि का उपयोग नवश्वास करिे या माििे क
े नलए, या बात करिे और
प्रवचि करिे क
े नलए भी िहीं नकया जािा चानहए, लेनकि "वजि और नवचार करिे क
े नलए"।
नफर बेकि अलग-अलग तरीकों क
े बारे में बोलती है नजसमें नवनभन्न पुस्तकों को पढिा है। वे कहते हैं -
"क
ु छ पुस्तकों को चखा जािा है, दू सरों को निगला जािा है, और क
ु छ को चबाया और पचाया जािा है।"
इसका मतलब यह है नक क
ु छ पुस्तकों को हल्क
े ढंग से प्रनतपानदत नकया जािा है, अिाणत चखिा,
जबनक क
ु छ अन्य पुस्तकों को समझिा और आिंद लेिा है, अिाणत् निगल नलया गया है। दू सरी ओर क
ु छ
पुस्तकों को पचाया जािा चानहए, तानक यह पूरी तरह से अपिे अिण को निकाल सक
े और नकसी क
े
जीवि में लागू हो। इसनलए क
ु छ पुस्तकों को क
े वल भागों में पढा जािा है, अन्य को कम नजज्ञासा क
े साि
पढा जािा है, और क
ु छ पुस्तकों को ध्याि और पररश्रम क
े साि पढा जािा है। बेकि हालांनक यह भी
कहते हैं नक कभी-कभी अपिे द्वारा पूरी नकताब पढिे क
े बजाय दू सरों द्वारा बिाई गई पुस्तकों क
े अक
ण
या समीक्षाओं को पढिे क
े नलए पयाणप्त हो सकता है। लेनकि बेकि क
े अिुसार यह क
े वल कम महत्व
की पुस्तकों क
े मामले में नकया जािा है। वह इि "नडस्िल्ड बुक्स" को नडस्िल्ड वॉटर मािते हैं नजसे वे
"आकषणक चीजें" कहते हैं।
पढिा एक आदमी को पूर्ण बिाता है, बातचीत एक आदमी को तेज और मजानकया बिाता है, और
लेखि स्मतनत में सुधार करता है। अगर कोई आदमी कम नलखता है तो उसे एक अच्छी याददाश्त की

6. कमी होगी, अगर वह कम बोलता है तो उसक
े पास बुस्द्ध और नदमाग की मौजूदगी की कमी होगी, और
अगर वह कम पढता है तो उसे ज्यादा ज्ञाि िहीं होगा।
इनतहास का एक अध्ययि एक आदमी को बुस्द्धमाि बिाता है जबनक कनवता का एक अध्ययि उसे
मजानकया बिाता है। गनर्त मिुष्य को सटीक और सटीक बिाता है और प्राक
त नतक दशणि मि की
गहराई को बढाता है। िैनतकता मिुष्य को गंभीर बिाती है जबनक तक
ण और लफ्फाजी का अध्ययि उसे
अनधक व्यापक बिाता है। पढाई चररत्र में गुजरती है। एक आदमी का चररत्र उस तरह की नकताबों से
प्रभानवत और पररभानषत होता है जो वह पढता है।
मि का कोई रोग िहीं है नजसे उनचत अध्ययि द्वारा ठीक िहीं नकया जा सकता है। गेंदबाजी मूत्राशय
और गुदे क
े नलए अच्छी है, फ
े फडे और स्ति क
े नलए शूनटंग, पेट क
े नलए चलिा और सवारी करिा नसर
क
े नलए अच्छा है। इसी तरह गनर्त एक भटकिे वाले नदमाग का उपाय है क्योंनक अगर नकसी व्यस्क्त
का नदमाग नकसी समस्या को हल करते समय भटकता है तो उसे नफर से शुरू करिा होगा। यनद कोई
व्यस्क्त भेद करिे में असमिण है, तो उसे स्क
ू ली छात्रों का अध्ययि करिा चानहए और यनद वह मामलों से
गुजरिे में तेज िहीं है, तो उसे कािूि का अध्ययि करिा चानहए। इस प्रकार बेकि िे यह निष्कषण
निकालकर निबंध की थिापिा की नक मि की प्रत्ेक कमी क
े नलए एक उपाय अध्ययि में पाया जािा
है।
Watch this Video ↓

7. Ques.1. What are Francis Bacon's views on studies in his
essay "Of Studies"?
In this essay Bacon highlights the importance of studies in human life. Bacon begins the essay
by enlisting three purposes of studies – “to delight, for ornament and for ability.” First it gives
us delight. Reading books in our leisure time gives us both enjoyment and
education. Secondly, reading helps us to speak and communicate with people more efficiently.
Thirdly studies help us to deal with our problems of life more effectively.
According to Bacon, Study has some disadvantages. Spending too much time in reading books
will make a man lazy. Those who study too much may make a show of their learning. This
affectation should be avoided. This bookish knowledge should be guided by experience of
life. Studies make a man perfect. Cunning men do not approve studies. Simple men like and
praise it. Wise men maintain balance. Bacon prescribes some rules of study. We should not
read just to argue with others. We should not blindly believe whatever we study in the books.
We should keep an open mind with critical judgement.
Bacon tells us how we may approach different types of book. There are some books to be read
in parts, so we may skip through the pages. Some books are to be read completely. But these
books need not be studied well. We can read them for our curiosity. But some other books are
to be studied carefully and digested, because their form and content are very useful in our
practical life.
Bacon tells us how studies cure the diseases of our mind. Reading makes a person up-to-
date. History helps us to enhance our wisdom. Poetry makes us imaginative. Mathematics
helps to acquire subtlety. Natural philosophy makes us deep. On the other hand, moral
philosophy gives us gravity. Logic and rhetoric promote the power of debate and argument.
Thus studies reform our character and make us more civilized. Studies can cure diseases of
mind just as physical exercises cure defects of the body. For example bowling is good for
kidneys. Shooting for the lungs and walking for digestion. Similarly mathematics is a strong
cure for mind wandering. Scholastic philosophy is good for muddle thinking. The study of
law is an effective medicine for bad memory.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
Ques.2,. How does Bacon show that studies serve differently to different
people?
OR
According to Bacon, how a reader makes the best use of Books?
Ans: In this essay Bacon highlights the importance of studies in human life. Bacon begins the
essay by enlisting three purposes of studies – “to delight, for ornament and for ability.” First it
gives us delight. Reading books in our leisure time gives us both enjoyment and
education. Secondly, reading helps us to speak and communicate with people more efficiently.
Thirdly studies help us to deal with our problems of life more effectively.
According to Bacon, Study has some disadvantages. Spending too much time in reading books
will make a man lazy. Those who study too much may make a show of their learning. This
affectation should be avoided. This bookish knowledge should be guided by experience of
life. Studies make a man perfect. Cunning men do not approve studies. Simple men like and
praise it. Wise men maintain balance. Bacon prescribes some rules of study. We should not

8. read just to argue with others. We should not blindly believe whatever we study in the books.
We should keep an open mind with critical judgement.
Ques.3. Discuss after Bacon the different books and subjects of studies and
their impact
OR
Describe Bacon’s view on how various strands of learning contribute to
moulding and constructing a man’s personality and character.
Ans: Bacon tells us how we may approach different types of book. There are some books to
be read in parts, so we may skip through the pages. Some books are to be read completely. But
these books need not be studied well. We can read them for our curiosity. But some other books
are to be studied carefully and digested, because their form and content are very useful in our
practical life.
Bacon tells us how studies cure the diseases of our mind. Reading makes a person up-to-
date. History helps us to enhance our wisdom. Poetry makes us imaginative. Mathematics
helps to acquire subtlety. Natural philosophy makes us deep. On the other hand, moral
philosophy gives us gravity. Logic and rhetoric promote the power of debate and argument.
Thus studies reform our character and make us more civilized. Studies can cure diseases of
mind just as physical exercises cure defects of the body. For example bowling is good for
kidneys. Shooting for the lungs and walking for digestion. Similarly mathematics is a strong
cure for mind wandering. Scholastic philosophy is good for muddle thinking. The study of
law is an effective medicine for bad memory.
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