Roger Bacon

Early advocate of scientific method

Medieval influential 65 sayings

Sayings by Roger Bacon

The ignorance of the clergy is the cause of much evil in the world.

c. 1267 — Opus Majus, Part II, Chapter I
Controversial Unverifiable

The true method of philosophy is by experiment and experience.

c. 1267 — Opus Majus, Part VI, Chapter I
Controversial Unverifiable

The study of magic, though often abused, contains many useful truths.

c. 1260s — Epistola de Secretis Operibus Artis et Naturae, et de Nullitate Magiae
Controversial Unverifiable

The philosophers of the ancients, and especially the Arabs, have excelled us in many things.

c. 1267 — Opus Majus, Part III, Chapter I
Controversial Unverifiable

It is a great error to despise the wisdom of the infidels.

c. 1267 — Opus Majus, Part III, Chapter I
Controversial Unverifiable

There are many fables and falsehoods in the books of the Latins, which are taken for truths.

c. 1267 — Opus Majus, Part III, Chapter I
Controversial Unverifiable

The study of perspective is a most noble science, and of great utility for all other sciences.

c. 1267 — Opus Majus, Part V, Chapter I
Controversial Unverifiable

The world is full of errors, and men are in darkness, and they do not know it.

c. 1267 — Opus Majus, Part I, Chapter I
Controversial Unverifiable

The greatest impediment to learning is the fear of error.

c. 1267 — Opus Majus, Part I, Chapter I
Controversial Unverifiable

The common way of disputing is not for the discovery of truth, but for victory.

c. 1267 — Opus Majus, Part I, Chapter I
Controversial Unverifiable

The knowledge of languages is the key to all knowledge.

c. 1267 — Opus Majus, Part III, Chapter I
Controversial Unverifiable

Many errors have crept into the texts of Aristotle, through the ignorance of translators.

c. 1267 — Opus Majus, Part III, Chapter I
Controversial Unverifiable

The study of logic is necessary, but it is not sufficient for the acquisition of knowledge.

c. 1267 — Opus Majus, Part II, Chapter I
Controversial Unverifiable

The common way of teaching is a hindrance to true knowledge.

c. 1267 — Opus Majus, Part I, Chapter I
Controversial Unverifiable

It is better to learn from the infidels than to remain in ignorance.

c. 1267 — Opus Majus, Part III, Chapter I
Controversial Unverifiable

The study of grammar, as it is commonly taught, is a waste of time.

c. 1267 — Opus Majus, Part III, Chapter I
Controversial Unverifiable

The greatest part of the world is in error, and they do not know it.

c. 1267 — Opus Majus, Part I, Chapter I
Controversial Unverifiable

The true wisdom is not to be found in the books of the Latins, but in the books of the Greeks and Arabs.

c. 1267 — Opus Majus, Part III, Chapter I
Controversial Unverifiable

The common way of studying is rather for the sake of reputation than for the sake of knowledge.

c. 1267 — Opus Majus, Part I, Chapter I
Controversial Unverifiable

The study of music, as it is commonly taught, is of little utility.

c. 1267 — Opus Majus, Part IV, Chapter I
Controversial Unverifiable