Francis Bacon

But the images of men's wits and knowledges remain in books,
exempted from the wrong of time, and capable read more

But the images of men's wits and knowledges remain in books,
exempted from the wrong of time, and capable of perpetual
renovation.

Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few
to be chewed and digested.

Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few
to be chewed and digested.

Constancy is the foundation of virtue.

Constancy is the foundation of virtue.

I hold every man a debtor to his profession.

I hold every man a debtor to his profession.

The human understanding is no dry light, but receives infusion from the will and affections; which proceed sciences which may read more

The human understanding is no dry light, but receives infusion from the will and affections; which proceed sciences which may be called "sciences as one would." For what a man had rather were true he more readily believes. Therefore he rejects difficult things from impatience of research; sober things, because they narrow hope; the deeper things of nature, from superstition; the light of experience, from arrogance and pride; things not commonly believed, out of deference to the opinion of the vulgar. Numberless in short are the ways, and sometimes imperceptible, in which the affections color and infect the understanding.