Bacon's quotation: Certainly virtue is like precious odors

[Tom]

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

[Alan]

Hi Tom,

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

"

[Tom]

Many thanks, Alan for simplifying it.

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

[Yankee]

Hi Tom

I think your interpretation sounds pretty good.

Amy

[Alan]

Hi Tom,

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

[Tom]

[Alan]

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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