Baseness Quote by Francis Bacon
“For it is not possible to join serpentine wisdom with columbine innocence, except men know exactly all the conditions of the serpent: his baseness and going upon his belly, his volubility and lubricity, his envy and sting, and the rest; that is, all forms and natures of evil: for without this, virtue lieth open and unfenced.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Essays, Moral and Political, 1625
The quote argues that to understand and combat evil, one must recognize its many forms and underlying conditions; otherwise virtue remains unprotected.
In simple terms: Know evil’s many forms to protect virtue.
Key Takeaway
Identify and confront hidden vices.
Themes
virtue
evil
knowledge
morality
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- personal development
- leadership
- conflict resolution
- ethical decision‑making
Key Concepts
human nature
ethical awareness
self‑reflection
Questions to Reflect On
- What hidden vices might you be overlooking?
- How can awareness of evil’s forms strengthen your moral stance?
A Different Perspective
Virtue alone cannot guard against unseen evils.
![“There is no more evil thing in this world than race prejudice, none at all. [...] It justifies and holds together more baseness, cruelty, and abomination than any other sort of error in the world.” quote by H. G. Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/fc7/h-g-wells-1122_abomination_there-is-no-more-evil-thing-in-this-worl_478066.jpg)
