Of Studies: delight, ornament, ability

In his essay "Of Studies", Francis Bacon says that study has three main uses: delight, ornament and ability. Each use belongs to a different part of life.

For delight

Study gives pleasure mostly "in privateness and retiring", that is, when a person is alone and at leisure. Reading gives enjoyment, relieves boredom and gives a person a rich inner world.

For ornament

Study adorns a person in conversation and public speech. A well-read person speaks with grace and knowledge, quoting good examples and expressing ideas elegantly. This is the social, visible value of learning.

For ability

Study improves practical judgement and action. In Bacon's words, ability lies "in the judgment and disposition of business". Experienced men can carry out particular tasks, but those who are educated are better at judging, planning and arranging affairs as a whole.

Warning against excess

Bacon adds that each use has a danger:

• Spending too much time in study is sloth (laziness).
• Using studies too much for ornament is affectation (showing off).
• Making judgements wholly by the rules of study is the humour of a scholar, which ignores real experience.

Studies need to be balanced with experience. Bacon notes that studies perfect nature and are perfected by experience; "crafty men contemn (despise) studies, simple men admire them, and wise men use them".

Thus studies serve a person's private pleasure, social grace and practical wisdom, if used with moderation.