What practical advice did Bacon give to the men in high position?
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Answer
What practical advice did Bacon give to the men in high position?
Or, What practical advice does Bacon give to the men in high post?
Francis Bacon (1561–1626) was a wise English essayist. His essay “Of Great Place” was published in 1625. It gives honest advice to people in power. He talks about duties, dangers, and behavior. He does not praise power blindly. Instead, he shows how a high position needs wisdom, patience, and balance. Let us focus on the suggestions.
Serving with Responsibility: Bacon says leaders are servants, too. They serve the state, fame, and work. They are never fully free. He writes,
“Men in great place are thrice servants.”
A wise leader must serve honestly. He should put duty before pride.
Avoiding the Four Vices of Authority: Bacon lists four dangers in power. These are delay, corruption, roughness, and facility. Delay slows progress and brings failure. Corruption breaks trust and invites shame. Roughness creates fear and hate in people. Facility means being too weak to say no. A good leader avoids all four.
Acting with Modesty: A leader should not show off. He must stay calm and fair. He should respect others’ advice. Bacon says to treat old leaders kindly. He also says not to boast in private talks. Humble behavior brings more trust.
Learning from Ourselves and Others: Bacon says leaders must self-check. He suggests learning from others’ mistakes. He also tells us to learn from ourselves. He writes,
“Set before thee thine own example.”
This means we need to judge our past actions. Besides, we have to be strict with ourselves in our private thoughts.
In conclusion, Bacon’s advice is full of wisdom. He teaches how to lead with care. His words help leaders stay honest, kind, and wise. His advice still guides many leaders. These lessons are still useful today.