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Bacon's quotation: Certainly virtue is like precious odors



 
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Difference between may, would, might, could | Pressure versus Tension
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Bacon's quotation: Certainly virtue is like precious odors Thu Aug 17, 2006 21:58 pm  Bacon's quotation: Certainly virtue is like precious odors
 

Hi

Could you please shed some light on this quotation?

"Certainly virtue is like precious odors, most fragrant when they are incensed, or crushed: for prosperity doth best discover vice, but adversity doth best discover virtue."

Sir Francis Bacon


Thanks

Tom
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Bacon Thu Aug 17, 2006 22:25 pm  Bacon
 

Hi Tom,

You have to accept as I have said before about Francis Bacon that this is English back some 300 years:

"
Quote:
Certainly TO BE SURE virtue is like precious odors LIKE EXPENSIVE PERFUMES, most fragrant when they are incensed, or crushed THEY GIVE OFF THE SWEETEST SCENT WHEN THEY ARE LIT OR MADE INTO POWDER: for/ BECAUSE prosperity doth best discover vice IS BEST AT UNCOVERING VICE/EVIL, but adversity HARDSHIPS doth best discover virtue ARE BEST AT UNCOVERING GOODNESS."

I have tried to convey the idea in capital letters.

Alan
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Bacon's quotation: Certainly virtue is like precious odors, Thu Aug 17, 2006 22:36 pm  Bacon's quotation: Certainly virtue is like precious odors,
 

Many thanks, Alan for simplifying it. Very Happy

If I asked you to elaboate it a bit, would you please do it and WITHOUT SCOLDING ME? Please see my attempt.

" Until a person is put on trial (goes through a difficult time), you cannot know his full potential/ strength/ quality. And good times/ luck are best at taking the worst out of people. They may show their true colours when ther are prospering."

Do we agree, Alan?

Yours

Tom
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Bacon's quotation: Certainly virtue is like precious odors Fri Aug 18, 2006 14:20 pm  Bacon's quotation: Certainly virtue is like precious odors
 

Hi Tom

I think your interpretation sounds pretty good. Very Happy

Amy
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Bacon Fri Aug 18, 2006 14:27 pm  Bacon
 

Hi Tom,

I'm sorry you think I might scold! Perhaps you could elaborate on the part I have made bold:

Quote:
And good times/ luck are best at taking the worst out of people . They may show their true colours when they are prospering."

Alan
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Bacon's quotation: Certainly virtue is like precious odors Fri Aug 18, 2006 22:54 pm  Bacon's quotation: Certainly virtue is like precious odors
 

Alan wrote:

Hi Tom,

I'm sorry you think I might scold! Perhaps you could elaborate on the part I have made bold:

Quote:
And good times/ luck are best at taking the worst out of people . They may show their true colours when they are prospering."

I think I wanted to say that when people thrive i.e, become rich, have a great stroke of good luck or chance upon windfalls, they ( in many cases) change their attitude towards other people. It is when one can well assess them and their worst colors which had been hidden up until now are too apparent for whosoever wants to see.

Just some of my incoherent thoughts, Alan

Tom
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Explanation Sat Aug 19, 2006 11:19 am  Explanation
 

Hi Tom,

Thanks for that. The expression really to my mind is: bring out the worst in people and of course the opposite: bring out the best in people.

Alan
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