--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: He that hath wife and children hath given…" description: "\"He that hath wife and children hath given hostages to fortune; for they are impediments to great enterprises, either of virtue or mischief.\" — Francis ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00b/francis-bacon-297_business_he-that-hath-wife-and-children-hath-give_2598947.jpg" --- # He that hath wife and children hath given hostages to… ![“He that hath wife and children hath given hostages to fortune; for they are impediments to great enterprises, either of virtue or mischief.” quote by Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00b/francis-bacon-297_business_he-that-hath-wife-and-children-hath-give_2598947.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00b/francis-bacon-297_business_he-that-hath-wife-and-children-hath-give_2598947.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00b/francis-bacon-297_business_he-that-hath-wife-and-children-hath-give_2598947.jpg) > “He that hath wife and children hath given hostages to fortune; for they are impediments to great enterprises, either of virtue or mischief.” [Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Family ties can constrain ambitious pursuits, acting as leverage for fate. **In simple terms:** Family can limit bold actions. Key Takeaway Weigh responsibilities against goals. Themes responsibility ambition family freedom risk Mood reflective serious Type philosophical advice When to use this quote - career decisions - entrepreneurship - political reform - personal relationships Key Concepts social contract personal sacrifice fortune Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance personal duties with big dreams? - When might family support be an advantage? A Different Perspective Not all enterprises are noble; obligations may be ethical. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Fortune](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fortune/) [Marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage/) [Mischief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mischief/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/) [Wealth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wealth/) [Wife](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wife/) ## Related quotes > [“He who hath wife and children hath given hostages to fortune, for they are impediments to great enterprise.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-l-amour/he-who-hath-wife-and-children-hath-given-hostages-to-fortune-for-they/) [Louis L'Amour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-l-amour/) > [“He that hath wife and children hath given hostages to fortune.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/he-that-hath-wife-and-children-hath-given-hostages-to-fortune/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [He that hath wife and children hath given hostages to fortune, for they are impediments to great enterprises, either of virtue or mischief. Certainly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon/he-that-hath-wife-and-children-hath-given-hostages-to-fortune-for/) [Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/) > [We who are engaged in the sacred cause of education are entitled to look upon all parents as having given hostages to our cause.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-mann/we-who-are-engaged-in-the-sacred-cause-of-education-are-entitled-to/) [Horace Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-mann/) > [“hostages to fortune.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-leon/hostages-to-fortune/) [Donna Leon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-leon/) > [Everybody is vulnerable through love of their children. 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