---
title: "Of Studies: delight, ornament, ability"
subject: "Communication English"
chapter: 2
key: "semester_5/communication_english:studies-serve-delight-ornament"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/communication_english/studies-serve-delight-ornament
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Of Studies: delight, ornament, ability

Communication English · Chapter 2: Extensive Reading

- Asked in: 2074 Ashwin, 5 marks; 2072 Kartik, 5 marks (asked 2 times)
- Video: [Of Studies essay by Francis Bacon in Hindi summary, Explanation and full analysis and line](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEOrTXfefGs) — Study Lovers Kapil Gangwani
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/communication_english/studies-serve-delight-ornament
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_5/communication_english/chapter-2

## Question

"Studies serve for delight, for ornament and for ability". Explain it. (Of Studies)

## Short answer

Bacon says study serves delight in private leisure, ornament in conversation, and ability in practical judgement and business. Each use has a danger if excessive, so studies must be balanced with experience; wise men use them well.

## Answer

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.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. According to Bacon, where does study give delight?
   A. In privateness and retiring, when alone and at leisure
   B. In public speeches
   C. In business affairs
   D. In crowded debates
   Answer: A. Delight is the private pleasure of reading. (Key point: Delight)

2. What does study as ornament mean?
   A. Wearing fine clothes
   B. Making money
   C. Adorning a person in conversation and public speech
   D. Winning wars
   Answer: C. A well-read person speaks with grace and knowledge. (Key point: Ornament)

3. What does study as ability improve?
   A. Judgement and the planning and arranging of affairs
   B. Physical strength
   C. Only private pleasure
   D. Only memory
   Answer: A. Educated men judge and plan affairs as a whole. (Key point: Ability)

4. What is the danger of using studies too much for ornament?
   A. Sloth
   B. Humour of a scholar
   C. Affectation, showing off
   D. Ignorance
   Answer: C. Too much time in study is sloth; judging wholly by rules is the humour of a scholar. (Key point: Excess)