Augustus Quote by Francis Bacon
“There was a young man in Rome that was very like Augustus Caesar; Augustus took knowledge of it and sent for the man, and asked him "Was your mother never at Rome?" He answered "No Sir; but my father was."”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "Of Studies" (1625)
A young man’s lineage is questioned, revealing identity beyond maternal ties.
In simple terms: Identity isn’t just about mother’s origin.
Key Takeaway
Look beyond obvious lineage for true identity.
Themes
identity
heritage
knowledge
Mood
reflective
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- family history
- career mentorship
- academic research
Key Concepts
genealogy
philosophy
critical thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- How does heritage shape personal identity?
- What assumptions do we make about people’s backgrounds?
A Different Perspective
Assumptions about lineage can be misleading.
![“He [Caesar Augustus] found a city built of brick; he left it built of marble. [Lat., Urbem lateritiam accepit, mamoream relinquit.]” quote by Suetonius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/fc9/suetonius-25582_augustus_he-caesar-augustus-found-a-city-built-of_210926.jpg)
![“Luke [the gospel writer] screws up his dating by tactlessly mentioning events that historians are capable of independently checking. There was indeed a census under Governor Quirinius - a local census, not one decreed by Caesar Augustus for the Empire as a whole - but it happened too late in 6 AD…” quote by Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5d9/richard-dawkins-115_ads_luke-the-gospel-writer-screws-up-his-dat_1114686.jpg)
![“Inclined to peace by his temper and situation, it was easy for [Augustus] to discover that Rome, in her present exalted situation, had much less to hope than to fear from the chance of arms; and that, in the prosecution of remote wars, the undertaking became every day more difficult, the event…” quote by Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ee6/edward-gibbon-710_arms_inclined-to-peace-by-his-temper-and-situ_773110.jpg)
