《培根随笔》内容涉及政治、经济、宗教、爱情、婚姻、友谊、艺术、教育和伦理等等，几乎触及了人类生活的方方面面。作为一名学识渊博且通晓人情世故的哲学家和思想家，培根对他谈及的问题均有发人深省的独到之见。从《培根随笔》的“论真理”“论死亡”“论人的天性”等篇章中，可以看到一个热爱哲学的培根。从“论高官”“论王权”“论野心”等篇章中，可以看到一个热衷于政治，深谙官场运作的培根。从“论爱情”“论友情”“论婚姻与独身”等篇章中，可以看到一个富有生活情趣的培根。《培根随笔》是世界最经典的三部散文作品之一。

Francis Bacon (1561-1626)
Francis Bacon was an English philosopher, essayist and statesman who served as Attorney General and as Lord Chancellor of England. His works are seen as developing the scientific method and remained influential through the scientific revolution.

Table of Contents
The Life of Francis Bacon 001
Prologue 016
THE ESSAYS BY FRANCIS BACON
Preface 055
OF TRUTH 056
OF DEATH 059
OF UNITY IN RELIGION 061
OF REVENGE 066
OF ADVERSITY 068
OF SIMULATION AND DISSIMULATION 070
OF PARENTS AND CHILDREN 074
OF MARRIAGE AND SINGLE LIFE 076
OF ENVY 078
OF LOVE 084
OF GREAT PLACE 086
OF BOLDNESS 090
OF GOODNESS AND GOODNESS OF NATURE 092
OF NOBILITY 095
OF SEDITIONS AND TROUBLES 097
OF ATHEISM 105
OF SUPERSTITION 108
OF TRAVEL 110
OF EMPIRE 113
OF COUNSEL 119
OF DELAYS 124
OF CUNNING 126
OF WISDOM FOR A MAN’S SELF 130
OF INNOVATIONS 132
OF DISPATCH 134
OF SEEMING WISE 136
OF FRIENDSHIP 138
OF EXPENSE 146
OF THE TRUE GREATNESS OF KINGDOMS AND
ESTATES 148
OF REGIMENT OF HEALTH 158
OF SUSPICION 160
OF DISCOURSE 162
OF PLANTATIONS 165
OF RICHES 169
OF PROPHECIES 173
OF AMBITION 177
OF MASQUES AND TRIUMPHS 180
OF NATURE IN MEN 182
OF CUSTOM AND EDUCATION 184
OF FORTUNE 186
OF USURY 188
OF YOUTH AND AGE 192
OF BEAUTY 194
OF DEFORMITY 196
OF BUILDING 198
OF GARDENS 203
OF NEGOTIATING 210
OF FOLLOWERS AND FRIENDS 212
OF SUITORS 214
OF STUDIES 216
OF FACTION 218
OF CEREMONIES AND RESPECT 220
OF PRAISE 222
OF VAIN-GLORY 224
OF HONOR AND REPUTATION 226
OF JUDICATURE 228
OF ANGER 233
OF VICISSITUDE OF THINGS 236
OF FAME 242
APPENDIXES
I A GLOSSARY OF ARCHAIC WORDS AND
PHRASES 247
II BACON TIME LINE 253