Of Great Place

Essay | Francis Bacon

What are the vices of authority according to Bacon?

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What are the vices of authority according to Bacon Or discuss Bacon s ideas on integrity and corruption Or how does Bacon warn against the vices of authority Francis Bacon is considered the father of the English essay He served under Queen Elizabeth I and King James I His essay Of Great Place is full of practical wisdom for rulers and officers Bacon shows that authority is a heavy responsibility He warns against four main faults or vices that destroy good leadership delays corruption roughness and facility Delays Bacon s first warning is against delays He says that a good ruler or officer should be quick and punctual A man in power must not waste time He should give easy access keep appointments and finish what he starts Delays in justice or decision-making cause disorder and loss of trust When a ruler or judge takes too long to act people

lose faith in him Bacon teaches that time is a part of good government A wise man must know how to manage it He must go forward with his duties and not postpone work for no reason Corruption The second and most dangerous vice is corruption Bacon strongly condemns bribery He says that a man in authority must be honest and pure He writes that one should not only stop himself or his servants from taking bribes but also Bind the hands of suitors also from offering This means a leader should refuse bribes It also makes others afraid to offer them Bacon explains that honesty brings real respect A ruler must avoid not only guilt but even the suspicion of corruption He says if a man changes his opinion without clear reason people will think he is bribed Therefore a good leader should always explain his decisions clearly Bacon knew how easily power leads to greed He himself fell from office because of bribery charges From his own fall he learned that integrity is the soul of authority Roughness The third vice is roughness harsh or rude behavior Bacon says that cruelty or rough speech causes hate He writes Severity breedeth fear but roughness breedeth hate A man in authority may need to correct others He should do it with respect not with insults Bacon advises that even when a ruler scolds someone he should speak calmly and with dignity Gentleness wins hearts Rudeness creates enemies A good leader should be strong but not fierce He must rule by justice and respect not by anger Facility The fourth vice is facility Facility means being too soft or easily influenced Bacon calls it worse than bribery He says For bribes come but now and then but if importunity or idle respects lead a man he shall never be without This means that a man who cannot say no will always be troubled A ruler must be strong in judgment and not change his mind for friendship or emotion If he tries to please everyone he will lose control and fail in his duty True leadership requires a steady mind and moral courage In Of Great Place Bacon gives timeless advice for all who hold authority He warns that delays waste time corruption destroys honesty roughness breeds hate and facility weakens leadership He teaches that true power lies in self-control and justice A good ruler must be honest gentle and firm These virtues make authority both noble and moral

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