Honorable and Dishonorable Ambition: Francis Bacon's Insights and Advice

Essay Francis Bacon Of Ambition Summary

Ambition is a powerful and often controversial trait that drives many people to pursue their goals and dreams. But what are the effects of ambition on individuals and society? How can ambition be used for good or evil? And how can one distinguish between honorable and dishonorable ambition?

Essay Francis Bacon Of Ambition Summary

In this essay, we will explore these questions by summarizing and analyzing Of Ambition, an argumentative essay by Francis Bacon, one of the most influential philosophers and writers of the 16th and 17th centuries. Bacon was himself a highly ambitious man who rose from a humble background to become a lawyer, a courtier, a statesman, and a scientist. He was also a keen observer of human nature and wrote many essays on various topics such as truth, death, love, revenge, friendship, and ambition.

Introduction

In Of Ambition, Bacon discusses the uses and abuses of ambition in the service of a prince or of the state, and the best ways to manage ambitious men. He begins by dividing the ambitious into two groups: those that are able to gratify their ambition (who become, he says, merely "busy") and those that are frustrated. Frustrated ambitions are the source of much discontent and trouble in government, and such men often would rather bring the state down with them than fail. Bacon advises that princes avoid using ambitious men in their service, but in cases where there is no alternative (as in the selection of military leaders) it is important to have a strategy in place to manage such people.

What is the main theme of the essay?

The main theme of the essay is that ambition is a double-edged sword that can be either beneficial or harmful depending on how it is directed and controlled. Bacon argues that ambition is a natural and necessary quality for human beings, but it can also lead to corruption, violence, envy, and rebellion if it is not tempered by reason, morality, and wisdom. He also suggests that there are different types of ambition, some more honorable and noble than others, and that a wise prince should be able to distinguish between them and use them for the good of his state.

How does Bacon divide the ambitious into two groups?

Bacon divides the ambitious into two groups based on whether they are able to satisfy their desire for power and glory or not. He says that those who are able to achieve their aims become merely "busy", meaning that they are occupied with their affairs and do not cause much trouble. However, those who are frustrated by their lack of success become restless, discontented, envious, and dangerous. They are always looking for opportunities to advance themselves or undermine others, and they take pleasure in the misfortunes of their rivals. They are also prone to rebel against their superiors or betray their friends if they see a chance to gain more power.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of employing ambitious men?

Bacon acknowledges that there are some situations where employing ambitious men is necessary or beneficial for a prince or a state. For example, he says that soldiers should be ambitious because they need courage, determination, and zeal to fight against their enemies. He also says that bodyguards should be ambitious because they need loyalty, devotion, and readiness to sacrifice their lives for their masters. He compares such men to "sealed doves", meaning that they are faithful and fearless. However, he also warns that there are many disadvantages and dangers of employing ambitious men, especially in civil and political affairs. He says that such men are often unscrupulous, greedy, arrogant, and disloyal. They are always seeking to increase their power and influence, and they are not satisfied with their positions or rewards. They are also likely to cause trouble and discontent among other people, and they may even plot against their masters or the state if they feel that they are not treated well or that they have a chance to overthrow them.

Body

What are some examples of ambitious men in history?

Bacon does not mention any specific examples of ambitious men in his essay, but he implies that there are many historical figures who fit his description of either honorable or dishonorable ambition. Here are some possible examples of such men:

Alexander the Great

Alexander the Great was one of the most successful and famous conquerors in history. He was the king of Macedonia and the leader of the Greek army that invaded and conquered most of the known world in the 4th century BC. He was driven by a strong ambition to surpass his father, King Philip II, and to emulate his hero, Achilles. He was also inspired by a vision of uniting different cultures and peoples under his rule. He was admired for his courage, intelligence, generosity, and charisma, but he was also criticized for his cruelty, arrogance, extravagance, and paranoia. He died at the age of 32, leaving behind a vast but unstable empire that soon collapsed after his death.

Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar was one of the most influential and controversial leaders of ancient Rome. He was a brilliant general, a charismatic politician, a skilled orator, and a prolific writer. He rose from a noble but impoverished family to become the dictator of Rome in the 1st century BC. He expanded the Roman territory by conquering Gaul (modern France) and invading Britain. He also initiated many reforms and improvements in Rome, such as building roads, bridges, aqueducts, temples, and theaters. He was loved by the common people for his generosity and clemency, but he was hated by the aristocrats for his ambition and tyranny. He was assassinated by a group of senators led by his friend Brutus on the Ides of March (March 15) in 44 BC.

Napoleon Bonaparte

Napoleon Bonaparte was one of the most powerful and influential rulers in modern history. He was a military genius, a political reformer, a legal codifier, and a cultural patron. He rose from a humble background in Corsica to become the emperor of France and most of Europe in the early 19th century. He revolutionized warfare with his tactics, strategies, and organization. He also introduced many changes and innovations in France, such as the Napoleonic Code, the Bank of France, the Legion of Honor, and the metric system. He was admired for his courage, charisma, vision, and achievements, but he was also despised for his egoism, ruthlessness, oppression, and wars. He was defeated by a coalition of European powers at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 and exiled to the island of St. Helena, where he died in 1821.

What are some strategies to manage ambitious men?

Bacon suggests that there are some strategies that a prince or a state can use to manage ambitious men and prevent them from causing harm or trouble. Here are some possible strategies:

Keep them busy and satisfied

One strategy is to keep ambitious men busy and satisfied with their work and rewards. Bacon says that this is the best way to make them harmless and useful. By giving them enough opportunities to exercise their talents and achieve their goals, they will not have time or reason to complain or plot against their masters or the state. They will also be grateful and loyal to those who support them and help them succeed.

Use one ambitious man against another

Another strategy is to use one ambitious man against another. Bacon says that this is a way to balance their power and prevent them from becoming too dominant or dangerous. By setting up rivalries or competitions among ambitious men, they will be more focused on outdoing each other than on overthrowing their masters or the state. They will also be more wary and cautious of each other than of their superiors or enemies.

Reward them for doing good deeds

Reward them for doing good deeds

A third strategy is to reward ambitious men for doing good deeds. Bacon says that this is a way to encourage them to use their ambition for noble and virtuous purposes. By giving them recognition, praise, honor, and wealth for their contributions to the state or the society, they will be motivated to do more good and less evil. They will also be more respectful and obedient to those who appreciate them and reward them.

Conclusion

What is the difference between honorable and dishonorable ambition?

In conclusion, Bacon distinguishes between honorable and dishonorable ambition based on their motives, means, and ends. He says that honorable ambition is driven by a desire to do good, to serve a higher cause, and to benefit others. It uses fair and lawful means to achieve its ends, and it does not harm or oppress anyone in the process. It also seeks a moderate and reasonable amount of power and glory, and it is content with its achievements. On the other hand, dishonorable ambition is driven by a desire to do evil, to serve a selfish interest, and to harm others. It uses foul and unlawful means to achieve its ends, and it does not care about the consequences or the costs. It also seeks an excessive and unreasonable amount of power and glory, and it is never satisfied with its achievements.

What are the three fruits of honorable ambition?

Bacon says that there are three fruits of honorable ambition that make it worthwhile and admirable. They are: the opportunity to do good, the ability to influence leaders to do good, and the desire to increase one's fortune by doing good. He says that these are the true rewards of ambition that bring happiness and honor to oneself and others. He also says that these are the qualities that a wise prince should look for in his servants and followers.

What is the role of a wise prince in discerning and directing ambition?

Bacon says that the role of a wise prince is to discern and direct ambition in his state or his service. He says that a wise prince should be able to recognize the different types of ambition among his people, and to distinguish between those who are honorable and those who are dishonorable. He should also be able to manage ambitious men according to their abilities and temperaments, and to use them for the benefit of his state or his service. He should avoid employing ambitious men who are corrupt, violent, envious, or rebellious, but he should employ those who are courageous, loyal, generous, or virtuous. He should also reward them for their good deeds, keep them busy and satisfied with their work, or use one against another if necessary.

# FAQs

• Who wrote Of Ambition?

• What is the main theme of Of Ambition?

• How does Bacon divide the ambitious into two groups?

• What are some examples of ambitious men in history?

• What are some strategies to manage ambitious men?

# Answers

• Of Ambition was written by Francis Bacon, one of the most influential philosophers and writers of the 16th and 17th centuries.

• The main theme of Of Ambition is that ambition is a double-edged sword that can be either beneficial or harmful depending on how it is directed and controlled.

• Bacon divides the ambitious into two groups based on whether they are able to satisfy their desire for power and glory or not. He says that those who are able to achieve their aims become merely "busy", meaning that they are occupied with their affairs and do not cause much trouble. However, those who are frustrated by their lack of success become restless, discontented, envious, and dangerous.

• Some possible examples of ambitious men in history are Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Napoleon Bonaparte.

• Some possible strategies to manage ambitious men are: keep them busy and satisfied with their work and rewards; use one ambitious man against another; reward them for doing good deeds.

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