Salomon saith, There is no new thing upon the earth. So that as Plato had an imagination, that all knowledge was but remembrance; so Salomon giveth his sentence, that all novelty is but oblivion.
Francis BaconRead
I had rather believe all the Fables in the Legend, and the Talmud, and the Alcoran, then that this universall Frame, is without a Minde. And therefore, God never wrought Miracle, to convince Atheisme, because his Ordinary Works Convince it. It is true, that a little Philosophy inclineth Mans Minde to Atheisme; But depth in Philosophy, bringeth Mens Mindes about to Religion.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Bacon suggests that a deep understanding of philosophy leads one to realize the presence of a divine mind behind the universe.
In this quote, Francis Bacon argues that the complexity and order of the universe imply a divine intelligence or mind. He expresses skepticism towards atheism, positing that superficial philosophical inquiry may lead to atheistic views, but a deeper exploration of philosophy ultimately guides one back to a belief in religion and a higher power. Bacon emphasizes that the natural workings of the universe themselves serve as evidence for the existence of God.
Themes
PhilosophyReligionAtheismMindUniverse
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a discussion about the relationship between science and faith.
More from Francis Bacon
All quotes →Nothing doth more hurt in a state than that cunning men pass for wise.
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Truth emerges more readily from error than from confusion.
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Great art is always a way of concentrating, reinventing what is called fact, what we know of our existence- a reconcentration… tearing away the veils, the attitudes people acquire of their time and earlier time. Really good artists tear down those veils
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Wise men make more opportunities than they find.
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Knowledge and human power are synonymous.
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