Summary for Ceremonies and Respects by Francis Bacon

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              Ceremonies and Respects

                                        - Francis Bacon.

Francis Bacon is a British poet, essayist and a philosopher. He is known as “the Father of English Essays”. His essay Ceremonies and Respects was published in the "Essays of Counsels, Civil and Moral” in 1597. In this essay Bacon talks about the greatness of possessing great virtue.

Bacon commences the essay stating "a real man should possess great virtue". He compares greatness with stone which needs polish to glow. Similarly a man should shape himself to become more virtuous. 

 He further  quotes, “ light gains make heavy purses”. The small virtues possessed by a man is highly commendable and praiseworthy.  But great virtues are occasional as festivals celebrated with ceremonies.The reputation gained for little virtue is like perpetual letters of commendatory to have good forms of behaviour (Queen Isabella says).

To achieve great virtue one must not ignore others. He has to treat other people like himself. As Dennis Prager claims, "Goodness is about character - integrity, honesty, kindness, generosity, moral courage and the like. More than anything else, it is about how we treat other people". 

Man should not pose himself to be more virtuous. If he does so he will loose his originality. Some men are like poetry where every syllable is measured with keen observation. It is good to be respected by others for possessing great qualities. " Men had need beware how they too perfect in compliments". After gaining familiarity he has to maintain his good manners. He must be more cautious and perfect. Otherwise he will be scorned with contempt by other people. 

A business man possessing great virtues faces failure and loss at ceritain situations. This is because virtuous people get deceived by others. 

Bacon in this essay tells a man blaming his situation will never flourish. A wise man will make more  opportunities than he finds. Bacon quotes from Salamon saying, " He that considereth the wind shall not sow, and he that looketh to the clouds shall not reap".

Bacon finally concludes the essay saying men's behaviour should be like an apparel which is not narrow but free for excercise or relaxation.















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