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
A sudden bold and unexpected question doth many times surprise a man and lay him open.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Unexpected questions can reveal deeper truths about a person's thoughts and feelings.
This quote by Francis Bacon suggests that when someone is confronted with an unexpected and bold question, it can catch them off guard, leading to a more honest and open response. Such moments can uncover underlying thoughts and emotions that may not be readily expressed in normal conversation, showcasing the power of inquiry in understanding ourselves and others.
Themes
QuestionTruthUnderstandingCommunicationRevelation
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about personal growth, one might use this quote to emphasize the importance of challenging questions.
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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