Of Adversity, Francis Bacon: Line by Line Explanation

1. It was an high speech of Seneca (after the manner of the Stoics), that the good things, which belong to prosperity, are to be wished; but the good things, that belong to adversity, are to be admired. Bona rerum secundarum optabilia; adversarum mirabilia. 2. Certainly if miracles be the command over nature, they appear most in adversity. 3. It is yet a higher speech of his, than the other (much too high for a heathen), It is true greatness, to have in one the frailty of a man, and the security of a God. Vere magnum habere fragilitatem hominis, securitatem Dei. In this passage, Bacon reflects on the Stoic perspective regarding the value and significance of adversity. He discusses the contrasting viewpoints on the desirability of good things in prosperity versus the admiration of virtues cultivated through adversity. Explanation: 1. Seneca, influenced by Stoic philosophy, presents the idea that while people may wish for the benefits that come with prosperity, the virtues and qualiti…

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