--- 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. Certainly t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/682/francis-bacon-297_affection_he-that-hath-wife-and-children-hath-give_1901221.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. Certainly the best works and of greatest merit for the public have proceeded from the unmarried or childless men, which both in affection and means have…” quote by Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/682/francis-bacon-297_affection_he-that-hath-wife-and-children-hath-give_1901221.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/682/francis-bacon-297_affection_he-that-hath-wife-and-children-hath-give_1901221.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/682/francis-bacon-297_affection_he-that-hath-wife-and-children-hath-give_1901221.jpg) > “He that hath wife and children hath given hostages to fortune, for they are impediments to great enterprises, either of virtue or mischief. Certainly the best works and of greatest merit for the public have proceeded from the unmarried or childless men, which both in affection and means have married and endowed the public. He was reputed one of the wise men that made answer to the question, when a man should marryA young man not yet, an elder man not at all.” [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. The quote argues that marriage and children can limit personal ambition and public contribution, suggesting that single individuals are freer to achieve great deeds. **In simple terms:** Marriage can hinder great public work; single life offers more freedom. Key Takeaway Consider the trade‑off between personal ties and public ambition. Themes ambition family public service Mood reflective analytical Type philosophical advice When to use this quote - political leadership - philanthropy - career advancement - creative projects Key Concepts virtue misfortune social constraints Questions to Reflect On - Do personal responsibilities limit your goals? - How can families support public ambition? A Different Perspective Single life may lack emotional support and practical help. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Affection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/affection/) [Answers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/answers/) [Best work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/best-work/) [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Childless Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/childless-men-2598122/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Elders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/elders/) [Enterprise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enterprise/) [Fortune](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fortune/) [Fortune Impediments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fortune-impediments-1592971/) [Given](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/given/) [Hostage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hostage/) [Impediments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impediments/) [Made](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/made/) [Marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage/) [Married](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/married/) [Married Endowed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/married-endowed-2807217/) [Mean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mean/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Merit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/merit/) [Mischief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mischief/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Unmarried](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unmarried/) [Unmarried Childless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unmarried-childless-1475938/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/) [Wife](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wife/) [Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wise/) [Wise men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wise-men/) [Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/young/) [Young man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/young-man/) ## Related quotes > [Certainly the best works, and of greatest merit for the public, have proceeded from the unmarried, or childless men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon/certainly-the-best-works-and-of-greatest-merit-for-the-public-have/) [Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/) > [This archaic idea - that a woman who is unmarried and childless at 30 is somehow unnatural - will probably always exist, and, like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-ditto/this-archaic-idea-that-a-woman-who-is-unmarried-and-childless-at-30/) [Beth Ditto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-ditto/) > [I worry about dying alone, unmarried and childless, because I spent so much time pursuing my career and accumulating degrees. This kind of thinking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roxane-gay/i-worry-about-dying-alone-unmarried-and-childless-because-i-spent-so/) [Roxane Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roxane-gay/) > [He that hath wife and children hath given hostages to fortune; for they are impediments to great enterprises, either of virtue or mischief.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon/he-that-hath-wife-and-children-hath-given-hostages-to-fortune-for-2/) [Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/) > [Children sweeten labours. But they make misfortune more bitter. They increase the care of life. But they mitigate the remembrance of death. The perpetuity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon/children-sweeten-labours-but-they-make-misfortune-more-bitter-they/) [Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/) > [“The noblest works and foundations have proceeded from childless men, which have sought to express the image of their minds, where those of their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon/the-noblest-works-and-foundations-have-proceeded-from-childless-men-2/) [Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/) > [The noblest works and foundations have proceeded from childless men, which have sought to express the images of their minds where those of their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon/the-noblest-works-and-foundations-have-proceeded-from-childless-men/) [Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/) > [“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/) > [“And so my thoughts have lead me to believe that childless men and women lead lives more fortunate than those with sons and daughters.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euripides/and-so-my-thoughts-have-lead-me-to-believe-that-childless-men-and/) [Euripides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euripides/) > [“If you want to know what's in motherhood for you, as a woman, then - in truth - it's nothing you couldn't get from,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caitlin-moran/if-you-want-to-know-what-s-in-motherhood-for-you-as-a-woman-then-in/) [Caitlin Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caitlin-moran/) > [Spouses are great impediments to great enterprises.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon/spouses-are-great-impediments-to-great-enterprises/) [Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/) > [First the amendment of their own minds. For the removal of the impediments of the mind will sooner clear the passages of fortune than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon/first-the-amendment-of-their-own-minds-for-the-removal-of-the/) [Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/) > [I do not think that marriage is one of my talents. I've been much happier unmarried than married.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-lessing/i-do-not-think-that-marriage-is-one-of-my-talents-i-ve-been-much/) [Doris Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-lessing/) > [It's like the riddle of the Sphinx... why are there so many great unmarried women, and no great unmarried men?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-jessica-parker/it-s-like-the-riddle-of-the-sphinx-why-are-there-so-many-great/) [Sarah Jessica Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-jessica-parker/) > [Unmarried couples should get married - that's an excellent tax avoidance measure, if a bit drastic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-whiting/unmarried-couples-should-get-married-that-s-an-excellent-tax/) [John Whiting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-whiting/) ## More by Francis Bacon > [Princes are like heavenly bodies, which cause good or evil times, and which have much veneration, but no rest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon/princes-are-like-heavenly-bodies-which-cause-good-or-evil-times-and/) [Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/) > [The best preservative to keep the mind in health is the faithful admonition of a friend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon/the-best-preservative-to-keep-the-mind-in-health-is-the-faithful/) [Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/) > [Since custom is the principal magistrate of man's life, let men by all means endeavor to obtain good customs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon/since-custom-is-the-principal-magistrate-of-man-s-life-let-men-by-all/) [Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/) > [Painting today is pure intuition and luck and taking advantage of what happens when you splash the stuff down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon/painting-today-is-pure-intuition-and-luck-and-taking-advantage-of/) [Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/) > [I usually accept bribes from both sides so that tainted money can never influence my decision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon/i-usually-accept-bribes-from-both-sides-so-that-tainted-money-can/) [Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/) > [Much bending breaks the bow; much unbending the mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon/much-bending-breaks-the-bow-much-unbending-the-mind/) [Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/) > [When Christ came into the world, peace was sung; and when He went out of the world, peace was bequeathed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon/when-christ-came-into-the-world-peace-was-sung-and-when-he-went-out/) [Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/) > [...neither is it possible to discover the more remote and deeper parts of any science, if you stand but upon the level of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon/neither-is-it-possible-to-discover-the-more-remote-and-deeper-parts/) [Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/) > [The divisions of science are not like different lines that meet in one angle, but rather like the branches of trees that join in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon/the-divisions-of-science-are-not-like-different-lines-that-meet-in/) [Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/) > [The human understanding, when any preposition has been once laid down... forces everything else to add fresh support and confirmation; and although more cogent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon/the-human-understanding-when-any-preposition-has-been-once-laid-down/) [Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/) > [I should have been, I don't know, a con-man, a robber or a prostitute. But it was vanity that made me choose painting, vanity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon/i-should-have-been-i-don-t-know-a-con-man-a-robber-or-a-prostitute/) [Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/) > [Wounds cannot be cured without searching.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon/wounds-cannot-be-cured-without-searching/) [Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/) > [The French are wiser than they seem, and the Spaniards seem wiser than they are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon/the-french-are-wiser-than-they-seem-and-the-spaniards-seem-wiser-than/) [Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/) > [When a man laughs at his troubles he loses a great many friends. They never forgive the loss of their prerogative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon/when-a-man-laughs-at-his-troubles-he-loses-a-great-many-friends-they/) [Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/) > [Believing that I was born for the service of mankind, and regarding the care of the commonwealth as a kind of common property which,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon/believing-that-i-was-born-for-the-service-of-mankind-and-regarding/) [Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/) [Explore all 711 Francis Bacon quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/) ## More Affection quotes > [My team and I have reunited two elements that coexist with diffiulty: respect and affection, because when they love you they don't respect you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shakira/my-team-and-i-have-reunited-two-elements-that-coexist-with-diffiulty/) [Shakira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shakira/) > [Needs cause motivation. Deep-rooted desires for esteem, affection, belonging, achievement, self-actualization, power, and control motivate us to push for what we want and need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorii-myers/needs-cause-motivation-deep-rooted-desires-for-esteem-affection/) [Lorii Myers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorii-myers/) > [“It is to build a house with affection, even as if your beloved were to dwell in that house.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/it-is-to-build-a-house-with-affection-even-as-if-your-beloved-were-to/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [In this choice of inheritance we have given to our frame of polity the image of a relation in blood; binding up the constitution…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/in-this-choice-of-inheritance-we-have-given-to-our-frame-of-polity/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) > [I, measuring his affections by my own, Which then most sought where most might not be found, Being one too many by my weary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/i-measuring-his-affections-by-my-own-which-then-most-sought-where/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [There are a number of qualities which are important for mental peace, but from the little experience I have, I believe that one of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/there-are-a-number-of-qualities-which-are-important-for-mental-peace/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [A lost love. Deny it who will, ridicule it, treat it as mere imagination and sentiment, the thing is and will be; and women…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dinah-maria-murlock-craik/a-lost-love-deny-it-who-will-ridicule-it-treat-it-as-mere-imagination/) [Dinah Maria Murlock Craik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dinah-maria-murlock-craik/) > [Affection! Affection is false.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-i/affection-affection-is-false/) [Elizabeth I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-i/) > [We are a spectacular, splendid manifestation of life. We have language. . . . We have affection. We have genes for usefulness, and usefulness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-thomas/we-are-a-spectacular-splendid-manifestation-of-life-we-have-language/) [Lewis Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-thomas/) > [Listen, I have a great affection and respect for Joe Biden. I think he's been a great vice president. He's taken on a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-axelrod/listen-i-have-a-great-affection-and-respect-for-joe-biden-i-think-he/) [David Axelrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-axelrod/) > [The still affection of the heart Became an outward breathing type, That into stillness past again, And left a want unknown before; Although the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/the-still-affection-of-the-heart-became-an-outward-breathing-type/) [Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/) > [I am persuaded that there is no affection of the human heart more exquisitely pure, than that which is felt by a grateful son…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-more/i-am-persuaded-that-there-is-no-affection-of-the-human-heart-more/) [Hannah More](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannah-more/) > [If you live in a material universe where acquiring things is very important to you, then family is an absolute deterrent to maintaining that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-taylor-gatto/if-you-live-in-a-material-universe-where-acquiring-things-is-very/) [John Taylor Gatto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-taylor-gatto/) > [Our sweetest experiences of affection are meant to be suggestions of that realm which is the home of the heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/our-sweetest-experiences-of-affection-are-meant-to-be-suggestions-of/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [“Georgia O’Keeffe moved to rural New Mexico, from which she would sign her letters to the people she loved, “from the faraway nearby.” It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-solnit/georgia-o-keeffe-moved-to-rural-new-mexico-from-which-she-would-sign/) [Rebecca Solnit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-solnit/) [Browse all 2,465 Affection quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/affection/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "He that hath wife and children hath given hostages to fortune, for they are impediments to great enterprises, either of virtue or mischief. 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