Of Youth and Age by Francis Bacon | Of Youth and Age | Francis Bacon | Francis Bacon as Essayist | Summary | Key Points | Word Meaning | Questions Answers | Critical Appreciation | Free PDF Download – Easy Literary Lesson
Of Youth and Age by Francis Bacon
A man that is young in years may be old in hours, if he have lost no time. But that happeneth rarely. Generally, youth is like the first cogitations, not so wise as the second. For there is a youth in thoughts, as well as in ages. And yet the invention of young men is more lively than that of old, and imaginations stream into their minds better, and as it were more divinely. Natures that have much heat and great and violent desires and perturbations, are not ripe for action till they have passed the meridian of their years; as it was with Julius Caesar, and Septimius Severus. Of the latter of whom it is said, Juventutem egit erroribus, imo furoribus, plenum. And yet he was the ablest emperor, almost, of all the list. But reposed natures may do well in youth. As it is seen in Augustus Caesar, Cosmus Duke of Florence, Gaston de Foix, and others. On the other side, heat and vivacity in age is an excellent composition for business. Young men are fitter to invent than to judge; fitter for execution than for counsel; and fitter for new projects than for settled business.
For the experience of age, in things that fall within the compass of it, directeth them; but in new things, abuseth them. The errors of young men are the ruin of business; but the errors of aged men amount but to this, that more might have been done, or sooner.
Young men, in the conduct and manage of actions, embrace more than they can hold; stir more than they can quiet; fly to the end, without consideration of the means and degrees; pursue some few principles which they have chanced upon absurdly; care not to innovate, which draws unknown inconveniences; use extreme remedies at first; and that which doubleth all errors, will not acknowledge or retract them; like an unready horse, that will neither stop nor turn. Men of age object too much, consult too long, adventure too little, repent too soon, and seldom drive business home to the full period, but content themselves with a mediocrity of success. Certainly it is good to compound employments of both; for that will be good for the present, because the virtues of either age may correct the defects of both; and good for succession, that young men may be learners, while men in age are actors; and, lastly, good for extern accidents, because authority followeth old men, and favour and popularity youth. But for the moral part, perhaps youth will have the pre-eminence, as age hath for the politic. A certain rabbin, upon the text, Your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams, inferreth that young men are admitted nearer to God than old, because vision is a clearer revelation than a dream. And certainly, the more a man drinketh of the world, the more it intoxicateth; and age doth profit rather in the powers of understanding, than in the virtues of the will and affections. There be some have an over-early ripeness in their years, which fadeth betimes. These are, first, such as have brittle wits, the edge whereof is soon turned; such as was Hermogenes the rhetorician, whose books are exceeding subtle; who afterwards waxed stupid. A second sort is of those that have some natural dispositions which have better grace in youth than in age; such as is a fluent and luxuriant speech, which becomes youth well, but not age: so Tully saith of Hortensius, Idem manebat, neque idem decebat. The third is of such as take too high a strain at the first, and are magnanimous more than tract of years can uphold. As was Scipio Africanus, of whom Livy saith in effect, Ultima primis cedebant.
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Of Youth and Age
Line by Line Analysis
Line 1: “A man that is young in years may be old in hours, if he have lost no time.”
Analysis: A young person can possess the wisdom and experience of an older individual if they have used their time effectively. This highlights the value of time and how it can contribute to maturity.
Line 2: “But that happeneth rarely.”
Analysis: Such cases are uncommon. Most young people do not gain significant wisdom quickly.
Line 3: “Generally, youth is like the first cogitations, not so wise as the second.”
Analysis: Youth is often compared to initial thoughts, which are not as refined or wise as subsequent reflections. This emphasizes the need for experience and reflection to gain true wisdom.
Line 4: “For there is a youth in thoughts, as well as in ages.”
Analysis: Just as there is a youthful period in a person’s life, there is also a youthful stage in the development of ideas. Both require maturation.
Line 5: “And yet the invention of young men is more lively than that of old, and imaginations stream into their minds better, and as it were more divinely.”
Analysis: Young people are more creative and imaginative than older individuals. Their minds are more active and inspired, often coming up with innovative ideas.
Line 6: “Natures that have much heat and great and violent desires and perturbations, are not ripe for action till they have passed the meridian of their years; as it was with Julius Caesar, and Septimius Severus.”
Analysis: People with intense passions and desires are not ready for significant actions until they reach middle age. Historical figures like Julius Caesar and Septimius Severus exemplify this.
Line 7: “Of the latter of whom it is said, Juventutem egit erroribus, imo furoribus, plenum. And yet he was the ablest emperor, almost, of all the list.”
Analysis: Septimius Severus, known for his youthful mistakes and even madness, eventually became one of the most capable emperors. This shows that youthful errors do not preclude later greatness.
Line 8: “But reposed natures may do well in youth. As it is seen in Augustus Caesar, Cosmus Duke of Florence, Gaston de Foix, and others.”
Analysis: Calm and composed individuals can succeed even in their youth, as seen with Augustus Caesar and others. Their temperament allows them to handle responsibilities effectively.
Line 9: “On the other side, heat and vivacity in age is an excellent composition for business.”
Analysis: Having energy and enthusiasm in old age is beneficial for business. It combines experience with vitality.
Line 10: “Young men are fitter to invent than to judge; fitter for execution than for counsel; and fitter for new projects than for settled business.”
Analysis: Young people are better at creating new ideas and executing tasks rather than making judgments, giving advice, or managing ongoing projects. They are suited for innovation.
Line 11: “For the experience of age, in things that fall within the compass of it, directeth them; but in new things, abuseth them.”
Analysis: The experience of older people guides them well in familiar matters, but it can mislead them in new situations. Their familiarity with the old can be a hindrance to embracing the new.
Line 12: “The errors of young men are the ruin of business; but the errors of aged men amount but to this, that more might have been done, or sooner.”
Analysis: Mistakes made by young people can destroy business, while errors by older people usually result in lost opportunities or delays. The consequences of youth’s mistakes are more severe.
Line 13: “Young men, in the conduct and manage of actions, embrace more than they can hold; stir more than they can quiet; fly to the end, without consideration of the means and degrees; pursue some few principles which they have chanced upon absurdly; care not to innovate, which draws unknown inconveniences; use extreme remedies at first; and that which doubleth all errors, will not acknowledge or retract them; like an unready horse, that will neither stop nor turn.”
Analysis: Young people tend to take on too much, act impulsively, and rush to conclusions without careful planning. They follow principles without understanding and are prone to using drastic measures. They are stubborn in admitting mistakes, like an untrained horse that is difficult to control.
Line 14: “Men of age object too much, consult too long, adventure too little, repent too soon, and seldom drive business home to the full period, but content themselves with a mediocrity of success.”
Analysis: Older individuals tend to overthink, take too long to decide, avoid risks, quickly regret their choices, and often settle for moderate success instead of striving for complete achievement.
Line 15: “Certainly it is good to compound employments of both; for that will be good for the present, because the virtues of either age may correct the defects of both; and good for succession, that young men may be learners, while men in age are actors; and, lastly, good for extern accidents, because authority followeth old men, and favour and popularity youth.”
Analysis: It is beneficial to combine the efforts of both young and old people. The strengths of each can offset the weaknesses of the other. Young people can learn from the experienced, and older individuals can act with authority. This balance is also favorable for dealing with external situations, as old men command respect and young men gain popularity.
Line 16: “But for the moral part, perhaps youth will have the pre-eminence, as age hath for the politic.”
Analysis: Morally, youth might have an advantage, while in politics, age holds the upper hand. This suggests different domains where each stage of life excels.
Line 17: “A certain rabbin, upon the text, Your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams, inferreth that young men are admitted nearer to God than old, because vision is a clearer revelation than a dream.”
Analysis: A rabbi interpreted a biblical text to mean that young men, who see visions, are closer to God than old men, who dream. Visions are clearer and more direct than dreams, implying the purity of youth.
Line 18: “And certainly, the more a man drinketh of the world, the more it intoxicateth; and age doth profit rather in the powers of understanding, than in the virtues of the will and affections.”
Analysis: The more a person experiences the world, the more it can cloud their judgment. As people age, they gain in understanding but may lose some of the virtues of will and affection.
Line 19: “There be some have an over-early ripeness in their years, which fadeth betimes.”
Analysis: Some people mature too early and lose their sharpness quickly. Their early brilliance does not last.
Line 20: “These are, first, such as have brittle wits, the edge whereof is soon turned; such as was Hermogenes the rhetorician, whose books are exceeding subtle; who afterwards waxed stupid.”
Analysis: This includes those with sharp but fragile intellects, like Hermogenes the rhetorician, whose early works were brilliant, but who later became dull.
Line 21: “A second sort is of those that have some natural dispositions which have better grace in youth than in age; such as is a fluent and luxuriant speech, which becomes youth well, but not age: so Tully saith of Hortensius, Idem manebat, neque idem decebat.”
Analysis: Another group includes those whose talents, like eloquent speech, are more suited to youth than old age. Cicero noted this about Hortensius, whose abilities were unchanged but no longer fitting as he aged.
Line 22: “The third is of such as take too high a strain at the first, and are magnanimous more than tract of years can uphold. As was Scipio Africanus, of whom Livy saith in effect, Ultima primis cedebant.”
Analysis: The third group consists of those who start with high ambition that time cannot sustain, like Scipio Africanus, about whom Livy said that his later achievements did not match his early promise.
Conclusion
Francis Bacon’s essay “Of Youth and Age” provides a comprehensive analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of both youth and old age. He emphasizes the importance of balancing the creativity and energy of youth with the wisdom and experience of age. Through historical examples and insightful observations, Bacon illustrates how different stages of life bring unique qualities that can contribute to success and fulfilment.
