Redefining Age: An Analysis of Francis Bacon's "Of Youth and Age"

Introduction

Francis Bacon, often referred to as the father of empiricism and rationalism, was a Renaissance man of many talents and his writings fall into three categories: philosophical, purely literary, and professional. Bacon is considered the first major English essayist and was known for his ability to vary the tempo of his argument in order to emphasize important aspects. In his essay "Of Youth and Age," ( from "The Essays Or Counsels, Civil and Moral" published at various times between 1597 and 1625) we can find a professional outlook and any literary qualities are mare coincidence. In fact, Bacon through "an index of emergence of modern world"() utilizes the technique a technique of inductive reasoning to great effect here, using a mix of slow and fast-paced writing, as well as syntactical parallelism, to contrast the two opposing stages of life. In this essay, Bacon's keen observations and insights about youth and age provide readers with a thought-provoking examination of life's stages and the unique challenges and opportunities they present.

Qualities of Time

Francis Bacon

In his essay "Of Youth and Age," Francis Bacon, like an utilitarian philosopher, suggests that a person's age is not necessarily determined by the number of years they have lived, but rather by the amount of time they have effectively used: "A man that is young in years, may be old in hours, if he have lost no time."

Bacon argues that someone who is young in years can still be considered old if they have not wasted any time and have used their hours wisely. On the other hand, someone who is advanced in age may still be considered young if they have used their time productively and have not let it slip away without purpose.

Therefore, Bacon suggests that one's age is not determined solely by the passage of time, but rather by the use they make of it. If someone has lived a life of purpose and accomplishment, even if they are young in years, they can be considered old in terms of their wisdom and experience. Conversely, if someone has let their time slip by without achieving much, they may be considered old in terms of their wasted potential, even if they are young in years.

Age and Temperament

Bacon also discusses the relationship between age and temperament, and how they affect a person's ability to engage in certain types of activities or pursue certain goals: "Natures that have much heat, and great and violent desires and perturbations, are not ripe for action, till they have passed the meridian of their years; as it was with Julius Caesar and Septimius Severus."

The people who have "much heat" - that is, strong passions, desires, and emotions - are not well-suited for action until they have reached a certain age, because their passions can lead them astray. Bacon cites Julius Caesar and Septimius Severus as examples of people who had such fiery natures, but who only became successful later in life, once they had gained more experience and maturity.

On the other hand, Bacon notes that people who are more "reposed" - that is, calm and measured in their behavior and emotions - may do well when they are young, because they are able to focus their energies more effectively. He cites Augustus Caesar, Cosmus Duke of Florence, and Gaston de Foix as examples of people who were successful at a young age.

However, like a shrewd political analyst Bacon also notes that as people age, a certain degree of "heat and vivacity" can be helpful in business, because it can give them the energy and drive to succeed. He argues that young people are better suited to coming up with new ideas and carrying out tasks, while older people are better at providing guidance based on their experience.

Errors Made in Business

Then Bacon opines that the mistakes made by young men can have catastrophic consequences for a business, while the mistakes made by older men are relatively minor and merely indicate missed opportunities: "The errors of young men, are the ruin of business; but the errors of aged men, amount but to this, that more might have been done, or sooner."

Bacon then goes on to describe the specific errors that young men tend to make. He suggests that they take on too much, are too impulsive, and lack a proper understanding of cause and effect. They may also pursue impractical ideas and fail to consider the consequences of their actions. Young men are often reluctant to change their ways or admit when they are wrong, which can compound their errors and lead to further problems. In other words, young men are often reckless and unprepared, like an untrained horse that cannot be controlled.

How They Can Work Together to Achieve Success

Bacon reflects on the different qualities of young and old men and how they can work together to achieve success: "Men of age object too much, consult too long, adventure too little, repent too soon, and seldom drive business home to the full period, but content themselves with a mediocrity of success."

Bacon criticizes older men for objecting too much, consulting for too long, being cautious and not taking enough risks, and then regretting their inaction. He believes that they often settle for a mediocre level of success and do not pursue their goals to the fullest extent.

Young men have their own faults as well, such as being impulsive and lacking experience. He suggests that a combination of the strengths of both age groups would be ideal, where the virtues of youth can be balanced by the wisdom and experience of age.

Bacon also highlights the benefits of this combination for the present and future. For the present, the skills and abilities of both young and old can complement each other, leading to greater success. For the future, the younger generation can learn from the older generation's experience and become better prepared to take over leadership roles when the time comes.

The combination of youth and age can also benefit in external factors such as gaining authority, favor, and popularity. Young men may have charisma and energy, but the respect and admiration that come with age can also be an asset in certain situations.

Moral and Political Realms

Bacon explores the differences between youth and age in both moral and political realms: "But for the moral part, perhaps youth will have the pre-eminence, as age hath for the politic."

In terms of morality, young people may have an advantage over older people. He references a biblical passage that states "Your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams," which some rabbis have interpreted as meaning that young people are closer to God because they have clearer revelations (visions) than older people who have more obscure ones (dreams). Bacon goes on to argue that as people get older and become more immersed in the world, they can become intoxicated by its distractions and lose sight of their moral compass. However, age can bring a greater understanding of the world and its workings, even if it doesn't necessarily improve one's moral character.

Bacon acknowledges that some young people may possess a maturity beyond their years, but warns that this can sometimes be fleeting and fade away quickly.

Three Types of People

Francis Bacon like prone politician describes three types of people who are prone to losing their mental edge or intellectual abilities as they age: "These are, first, such as have brittle wits, the edge whereof is soon turned; .....A second sort, is of those that have some natural dispositions which have better grace in youth, than in age;... ........The third is of such, as take too high a strain at the first, and are magnanimous, more than tract of years can uphold. .." The first type are those with "brittle wits," meaning their mental sharpness easily dulls over time. Bacon gives the example of Hermogenes, a rhetorician whose writings were once highly regarded for their subtlety but later became unimpressive.

The second type are those who have certain natural abilities that are more suited to youth than to old age. For instance, some individuals possess a talent for eloquent and flowing speech, which is more appropriate for younger people. Bacon cites Tully's commentary on the orator Hortensius, stating that his speech remained the same while he aged, but it no longer suited him as well.

Finally, Bacon notes that some individuals have a tendency to aim too high too soon, overestimating their abilities and magnanimity. He cites the example of Scipio Africanus, a great Roman general, who achieved great things early in his life but struggled to maintain his accomplishments as he aged. Bacon quotes Livy, who said of Scipio Africanus, "The last part of his life did not match up to the first."

Conclusion

In "Of Youth and Age," Francis Bacon presents a thoughtful analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of both youth and old age. He recognizes that each stage of life has its own unique advantages and challenges, and argues that people should strive to balance the energy and potential of youth with the wisdom and experience of old age. While Bacon's observations on the subject are still relevant today, our understanding of age and aging has evolved over time, and we now have a broader definition that includes factors beyond physical or socio political markers of age.

Additional Note: Writing Style

Francis Bacon wrote brief yet dense with concepts and meanings, almost an epigrammatic brevity. There were, however, critics who opposed Francis Bacon's writing style for being political and didacticism. Samuel Taylor Coleridge criticized Bacon's prose for being overly abstract and lacking in concrete imagery. The literary critic Harold Bloom also faulted Bacon for his prose style, describing it as "flat" and lacking in literary flair. L.C. Knights criticizes Bacon for what he perceives as a lack of imagination and dullness in his use of the English language. But it is to be remembered that when he was writing essays in the sixteenth century, poetry was the preferred form of literature and all of his works, with the exception of his essays, were written in Latin since he placed greater value on that language than any other. But due to its packed wisdom, each line in his works is significant enough to stand alone as a separate essay. His writing style, which has been dubbed pithy and epigrammatic, is known for its insightful counsel for today's lost young men and women.

Ardhendu De

Reference
1. The Project Gutenberg Works of Francis Bacon. (n.d.). The Project Gutenberg Works of Francis Bacon. https://www.gutenberg.org/files/59163/59163-h/59163-h.htm

2. The essays, or counsels, civil and moral, of Francis Bacon, Lord Verulam, Viscount St. Albans. (1890, November 15). Notes and Queries, s7-X(255), 400–400. https://doi.org/10.1093/nq/s7-x.255.400a

3. Woodward, P. (2017, December 3). Sir Francis Bacon: Poet Philosopher Statesman Lawyer Wit (Classic Reprint).

4. Essential articles for the study of Francis Bacon : Vickers, Brian : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive. (n.d.). Internet Archive. https://archive.org/details/essentialarticle0000vick

5. Knights, Lionel Charles, ‘Selected Essays in Criticism’. Cambridge University Press.1981.