Quote by Francis Bacon, The Advancement o
For it is not possible to join serpentine wisdom with columbine innocency, except men know exactly all the conditions of the serpent: his baseness and going upon his belly, his volubility and lubricity, his envy and sting, and the rest; that is, all forms and natures of evil: for without this, virtue lieth open and unfenced.Bacon was referring to Jesus
Summary
This quote by Bacon suggests that in order to have a balanced understanding of wisdom and innocence, one must be aware of the darker side of human nature and the existence of evil. It implies that true virtue cannot be appreciated without an understanding of the vices and challenges that it stands against. The reference to joining serpentine wisdom with columbine innocency alludes to the idea of finding harmony between knowledge and purity, but only when one is fully aware of the potential pitfalls and temptations associated with wisdom.
Topics
Evil
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