The Essays

Francis Bacon

⏱ 8 minWisdom classic

The father of the English essay turns dozens of subjects in his hand — truth and friendship, ambition and adversity, studies and death — in counsels so terse they read like struck coin. Worldly wisdom for the conduct of a life, meant not to be believed but weighed.

Listen to the whole of The Essays in about 8 minutes — professionally narrated, with Apple-Music-style synced subtitles. One book free every day; Folio Premium unlocks the entire library.