Bacon, Sir Francis (1561-1626). Of the Advancement and Proficience of Learning or the Partitions of Sciences IX Bookes. Oxford: by Leon Lichfield, For Rob. Young and Ed. Forrest, 1640.

"For the two ways of contemplation are not unlike the two ways of action commonly spoken of by the ancients: the one plain and smooth in the beginning, and in the end impassable; the other rough and troublesome in the entrance, but after a while fair and even. So it is in contemplation: if a man will begin with certainties, he shall end in doubts; but if he will be content to begin with doubts, he shall end in certainties."

"…as if there were sought in knowledge a couch whereupon to rest a searching and restless spirit; or a terrace for a wandering and variable mind to walk up and down with a fair prospect; or a tower of state, for a proud mind to raise itself upon; or a fort or commanding ground, for strife and contention; or a shop, for profit or sale; and not a rich storehouse for the glory of the Creator and the relief of man’s estate."
"Philosophy directs us first to seek the goods of the mind, and the rest will either be supplied, or are not much wanted."

"They are ill discoverers that think there is no land, when they can see nothing but sea."
"In mathematics I can report no deficience, except it be that men do not sufficiently understand the excellent use of the pure mathematics."

"To conclude, therefore, let no man… think or maintain that a man can search too far, or be too well studied in the book of God’s word, or the book of God’s works…"

"But further, it is an assured truth, and a conclusion of experience, that a little and superficial knowledge of philosophy may incline the mind of men to atheism, but a further proceeding… doth bring the mind back again to religion."