Unmarried men are best friends, best masters, best servants; but not always best subjects’—Explain.

Answer

How do you justify that an unmarried person is the best friend, best master; but not always best subject?

Or, ‘Unmarried men are best friends, best masters, best servants; but not always best subjects’—Explain. 

Francis Bacon (1561–1626) was an outstanding thinker. His essay “Of Marriage and Single Life” was published in 1625. In it, he compares the roles of married and single men. He praises unmarried men as excellent workers and leaders. But, he also shows why they are not always good citizens. Let us discuss this.

Unmarried Men Are Free and Active: Bacon says single men are free from family duties. They have more time and fewer limits. They can focus fully on their work. This freedom makes them better workers and leaders. Bacon writes,

“Unmarried men are best friends, best masters, best servants.”

Their time and effort help society directly. They act quickly and make bold decisions.

Quick in Work, Fast in Action: Single men do not need to consult their families. They are more flexible and faster in action. They can take risks without fear. This helps in business, travel, or leadership roles. Their lifestyle gives them energy and focus. This makes them valuable in many fields of work.

Not Deeply Rooted in Society: Bacon points out one major flaw. Single men may not stay loyal in hard times. They have no strong ties to home or family. He writes,

“They are light to run away.”

They may avoid danger instead of facing it. This makes them weak as citizens.

Lack of Personal Sacrifice: A married man works for his family. He thinks about future generations. But a single man often thinks only for himself. This can lead to selfish choices. He may not feel a deep love for society or his country.

In short, Bacon gives a fair judgment. Single men serve well in private roles. But in public life, they may lack the heart to sacrifice. Their strength is freedom,