Francis Bacon's essay discusses the value and proper use of studies. It makes three key points: 1) Studies should be used to gain competence and proficiency, not just for entertainment or to impress others. True learning comes from applying knowledge, not just accumulating it. 2) Both studies and experience are necessary for learning - studies provide direction but must be bounded by real-world experience. Too much of either alone is insufficient. 3) Different types of reading and study are appropriate for different materials, from superficial reading to in-depth analysis, and study strengthens various skills and remedies weaknesses when applied properly to the individual.

1. OfStudies
Francis Bacon

2. What is an
essay again???
Just a review! 

3. FirmingUp:
Discussion
An ESSAY is a prose
composition of moderate
length which aims to explain
or elucidate an idea, a theory,
an impression, or a point of
view.

4. Main Points of the Essay
Of Studies by Francis Bacon

5. FirmingUp:
Discussion  Studies is for one’s own entertainment, such as reading book on a favorite
author, to impress others and bring attention to oneself, such as by
touting one’s academic accomplishments in hopes of gaining a pretty
girl’s admiration, or to gain competence and proficiency, an example
would be by studying for an upcoming exam.
 'Studies' must be ratified by experience, just as experiences are trimmed
by studies.
Studies serve for delight, for ornament, and for ability.Their
chief use for delight, is in privateness and retiring; for ornament,
is in discourse; and for ability, is in the judgment, and disposition
of business. For expert men can execute, and perhaps judge of
particulars, one by one; but the general counsels, and the plots
and marshalling of affairs, come best, from those that are
learned.

6. FirmingUp:
Discussion  Too much study may be considered a downfall, as the individual studying
may be considered by others to be self-indulgent or even lazy if they
appear to be studying and not much else.
 Studying alone is insufficient; learning must also be accompanied by real
life experience, as they are counter-balances of one another.
 Just to do what books tell you to do and nothing else is characteristic of
an academic/bookish individual.
To spend too much time in studies is sloth; to use them too much
for ornament, is affectation; to make judgment wholly by their
rules, is the humor of a scholar.They perfect nature, and are
perfected by experience: for natural abilities are like natural
plants, that need pruning, by study; and studies themselves, do
give forth directions too much at large, except they be bounded in
by experience.

7. FirmingUp:
Discussion
 Cunning individuals regard studies with contempt because
concepts learned from books might thwart their devious goals;
unpretentious individuals admire studies because they
themselves may have had little opportunity for study, and an
astute individual makes good use of studies and knowledge
gained by studying as a tool to glean more information.
Crafty men contempt studies, simple men admire
them, and wise men use them; for they teach not
their own use; but that is a wisdom without them, and
above them, won by observation.

8. Firming Up:
Discussion  Study and take time to meditate on the information
learned rather than taking what is learned as gospel, or
arguing about the information, even discussing it.
Read not to contradict and confute; nor to believe and
take for granted; nor to find talk and discourse; but to
weigh and consider.

9. FirmingUp:
Discussion
 Three types of literature that are widely available include that
which is be read in parts and not spent a lot of time on, that which
is to be read through and enjoyed, and that which is to be read
thoroughly with attention and sincerity.
Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few
to be chewed and digested; that is, some books are to be read only
in parts; others to be read, but not curiously; and some few to be
read wholly, and with diligence and attention. Some books also
may be read by deputy, and extracts made of them by others; but
that would be only in the less important arguments, and the meaner
sort of books, else distilled books are like common distilled waters,
flashy things.

10. FirmingUp:
Discussion
 Studying makes people complete, discussion makes a
prepared person, and writing makes an exact person by
communicating well.
Reading maketh a full man; conference a ready man;
and writing an exact man. And therefore, if a man
write little, he had need have a great memory; if he
confer little, he had need have a present wit: and if he
read little, he had need have much cunning, to seem to
know, that he doth not

11. FirmingUp:
Discussion
 Just as ailments of the body can be cured by
physical exercises, ailments/shortcomings of the
mind may be cured by appropriate studies.
Histories make men wise; poets witty; the mathematics subtle; natural
philosophy deep; moral grave; logic and rhetoric able to contend. Abeunt
studia in mores. Nay, there is no stone or impediment in the wit, but may be
wrought out by fit studies; like as diseases of the body, may have
appropriate exercises. Bowling is good for the stone and reins; shooting for
the lungs and breast; gentle walking for the stomach; riding for the head;
and the like. So if a man's wit be wandering, let him study the mathematics;
for in demonstrations, if his wit be called away never so little, he must begin
again. If his wit be not apt to distinguish or find differences, let him study the
Schoolmen; for they are cuminisectores. If he be not apt to beat over
matters, and to call up one thing to prove and illustrate another, let him
study the lawyers' cases. So every defect of the mind may have a special
receipt.

12. FirmingUp:
Discussion
If all you do is study and never use
what you have learned, what have
you achieved? If you only study to
achieve recognition, what did you
waste your time for? If your
knowledge is narrowing your view
instead of broadening it, what is the
point of learning?
--Francis Bacon