Critical Comments
This essay is an excellent example of Bacon's tendency to dilute high ideals with expediency and a utilitarian approach to life. When Bacon says that a man, who pardons his enemies, reveals a noble heart, he certainly aims at a high ideal. But he dilutes this high ideal by justifying a revenge that is taken for a wrong for which there is no legal remedy. He shows his worldly wisdom when he cautions a man wishing to take revenge by saying that the revenge should be such as there is no law to punish. In other words, Bacon would not mind a man's taking revenge for those wrongs which there is no law to remedy; but he would suggest a revenge which law cannot take his is, indeed, strange morality In the same way, cognizance of. Bacon does not feel angry with a man who loves himself better than others. Nor does Bacon feel annoyed with a man who does a wrong merely out of ill nature. He compares such a man to a thorn or briar. The comparison of a spiteful man with a thorn or briar suggests that no efforts need be made to mend or improve such men. This means that a wrong must be accepted from a person who is by nature wicked.