To Be a Full Man from Reading
We all know that study can cultivate a man and even make a full man. A full man should have a positive view of world, life and value, which is usually based on a balanced knowledge system. And how can we obtain this necessary knowledge? Of Studies is the answer to this question. In Bacon’s essay Of Studies, reading purposes and functions are discussed in detail. Bacon also analyzes the different attitudes to reading and introduces various methods of reading. Above all, Bacon tells us how to be a full man from reading.
In the very beginning, Bacon points out that reading can serve for delight, for ornament, and for ability. We can see that reading has three functions. It delights you; it beautifies you; and it strengthens your ability. The author also says that their chief use for delight is in private life and retiring. That is to say, when you stay alone, book is your best companion which eases loneliness and brings happiness. If you are really absorbed in the book, you may not feel lonely. “For ornament, is in discourse.” When communicating or negotiating with others, knowledge learned from books can make you decent and educated. In other words, reading beautifies you in that occasion. “And for ability, is in the judgment and disposition.” Faced with affairs, an expert man can judge of particulars one by one. But to general people, he should act decisively. It means he can hold the whole situation and think out a plan. Where does this kind of ability come from? Reading. If you read all kinds of books, you are able to taste what might not happen to you in real life, and then ask yourself what you would do in that situation. Reading helps you make fewer mistakes. For that, you can learn mistake examples from books so that you may make no mistakes when you are in the same situation.
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