A Finding List: Part I.
Bacon’s Words and Phrases of the English then of the Latin
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W-X-Y-Z
R (English)
Rack Torture instrument; also known as stretching racks where the examinate was stretched by four ropes. It was invented by John Holland, Duke of Exeter who was constable of the Tower under Henry VI., and used at the Tower until 1588 though it is mentioned in other documents of the time, that its last recorded use was in 1640. [Also see Part III: Torture; Tools of Torture; Use of Torture].
The winds in the upper region (which move the clouds above, which we call the rack, and are not perceived below), pass without noise. (Bacon, Syl. Sylv).
Rather make able and honest men yours than advance those that are otherwise because they are yours. (Bacon, Letter of advice to Buckingham upon becoming King James’ favourite).
Rational and moral knowledges Considered with reference to reason and morals. (Bacon, Adv., Bk. II).
Reason The affections themselves ever carry an appetite to apparent good, and have this in common with reason; but affection beholds principally the present good; reason looks beyond, and beholds likewise the future and sum of all. After the eloquence and persuasion have made things future and remote appear as present, then upon the revolt of imagination to reason, reason prevails. (Bacon, De Aug., Bk. VI).
Reason doth buckle and bow the mind unto the nature of things. (Bacon, Adv., Bk. II).
Rebellion against the belly In this they fall into the error described in the ancient fable, in which the other parts of the body did suppose the stomach had been idle, because it neither performed the office of motion, as the limbs do, nor of sense, as the head doth; but yet, notwithstanding, it is the stomach that digesteth and distributeth to all the rest. (Bacon, Adv., 1603–05).
Receiver He that receiveth knowledge desireth rather present satisfaction, than expectant search, and so rather not to doubt than not to err. (Bacon, Of the Interpretation of Nature).
Reciproque The like. (Bacon).
Recognition of friends It is mentioned in some stories that where children have been exposed, or taken away young from their parents, and afterward have been brought into their parents’ presence, the parents, though they have not known them, have felt a secret joy or other alteration thereupon. (Bacon, Natural History, 1622–25).
Recorder Kind of flute. (Bacon, Syl. Sylv).
Recovered Gained, not get back again; very commonly used in Bacon’s time. (Bacon, History of King Henry VII.).
Recreation As for games of recreation, I hold them to belong to civil life and recreation. (Bacon, Adv., Bk. L).
Redgrave Gorhambury Estates. (Bacon, Apo).
Reformation The labour (of the will) is to reform the affections, restraining them if they be too violent, and raising them if they be too soft and weak; or else it is to cover them; or, if occasion be, to pretend and represent them. Examples are plentiful in the Courts of Princes, and in all politic traffic. (Bacon, Discourse of the Intel. Powers).
Remembrance The invention of speech is no other but the knowledge whereof our mind is already possessed, to call before us that which may be pertinent to the purpose which we take into our consideration. So as, to speak truly, it is but a remembrance or suggestion with an application. All knowledge is but memory or remembrance. (Bacon, Adv., Bk. L).
Reputation As for reputation, with a view to which the Councils of Princes ought to be specially framed, they (scornful councillors) despise it as a breath of the people that will quickly be blown away. (Bacon, De Aug., Bk. VIII).
It is a wry hard and unhappy condition of men preeminent for virtue, that their errors, be they ever so trifling, are never excused. In men of remarkable virtue the slightest faults are seen, talked of, and severely censured, which in ordinary men would be unobserved or readily excused. (Ibid).
Research Do likewise command the use of dead bodies for anatomies. (Bacon, Adv., Bk. II).
Reseiser Taking again of lands into the King’s hands, whereof a general livery or ouster le main was formerly misused by any person or persons, and not according to form and order of law. (Cowell).
Resolution In human actions fortune insists that some resolution shall be taken. Not to resolve is itself to resolve; so that many times suspension of resolution involves us in more necessities than a resolution would. (Bacon, De Aug., Bk. VI. Soph).
Resolved to enlarge the old house instead of building a new one Completing what has started, instead of abandoning it for something new. (Spedding).
Respect From respicere, to look back, to view in the light of the past; considerate, consideration.
In sickness respect health. (Bacon, Essay: Of Regimen of Health).
Respective duty The duties between husband and wife, parent and child, master and servant: so likewise the laws of friendship and gratitude, the civil bond of companies, colleges, and politic bodies, of neighbourhood, and all other proportionate duties; not as they are parts of government and society, but as to the framing of the mind of particular persons. (Bacon, Adv., Bk. II).
Respiration Aristotle’s theory on respiration was that it was necessary in order to keep the animal heat from becoming excessive. (Bacon, Vitæ et Mortis).
Revelation In 1953, a two-leaf paper found stuck between the bindings of the spine of a copy of Thomas Gataker’s Certaine Sermons (1637) revealed a publisher’s written list from 1603 where Loves Labour Won was jotted. (Hibbard). 1
Revenge How happy might we be, and end our time with blessed days and sweet content, if we could contain ourselves, and, as we ought to do, put up injuries, learn humility, meekness, patience, forget and forgive. (Burton). 2
Rhetoric To apply reason to imagination. (Bacon, Adv., Bk. II).
Being to the imagination what logic is to the understanding. [Also see Part III: Arte of Rhetoricke.]
Rhymes Because there is no education collegiate which is free; where such as were so disposed might giveth themselves to histories. (Bacon, Adv., Bk. II).
Riches Of great riches you may have either the keeping, the giving away, or the fame; but not the use. Do you not see what feigned prices are set upon little stones and such rarities, only that there may be some use of great riches? (Bacon, De Aug., Bk. VI. Antitheta).
Plenty made me poor. (Bacon, Promus 354).
Ridicule It is the exercise of buffoons, to draw all things, to conceits ridiculous. (Bacon, Discourse of the Intellectual Powers).
Roman ointment To further the very act of assimilation of nourishment; which is done by some outward emollients, that make the parts more apt to assimilate. For which I have compounded an ointment of excellent odour, which I call Roman ointment; vide the receipt. The use of it would be between sleeps; for in the latter sleep the parts assimilate chiefly. (Bacon, Syl. Sylv). 3
Rosicrucianism The title of the Brotherhood is derived from Rosa-Crux, a red rose affixed to a cross, presumably of gold. To the Rosicrucians of the age of Elizabeth, it hardly seems questionable that the rose was the symbol of silence, as among the ancients it was originally derived from the pagan tradition that the God of Love made the first rose, which he presented to the God of Silence. From this tradition originated the custom of carving a rose on the ceilings of banquet halls, or rooms where people met for gayety and diversion, to intimate that under it, whatever was spoken or done was not to be divulged; hence our term sub rosa used to indicate secrecy. The Cross, of course, signified salvation, to which the Society of the Rose-Cross devoted itself by teaching mankind the love of God and the beauty of brotherhood, with all that they implied. [Also see Part II: Fludd Robert.]
Rule of the alphabet The alphabet is constructed and directed in this manner. The history and experiments occupy the first place. These, if they represent an enumeration and series of particular things, are set down in table; otherwise they are taken separately. (Bacon, Abecedarium Naturæ). [Also see Conditions of beings.]
Rumour The nature of the common people gives birth to rumours, and malignant whispers, and querulous fames, and defamatory libels, and the like. (Bacon, Wisdom of the Ancients, 1609).
Libels and licentious discourses against the state, when they are frequent and open, and in like sort, false news, running up and down to the disadvantage of the state and hastily embraced, are amongst the signs of troubles. (Bacon, Essay: Of Seditions, 1607–12).
R (Latin)
Ratione certe, et sua lege In principle at least and in their essential law; God could change them, but that this change would be above reason and a change of the law of the form, otherwise unchangeable. (Bacon, Nov. Org., Aphorismorum IX).
Rebus arduis levia immiscet Levity is mixed in with hard things. (Bacon).
Reductionem Reducing, reductio appears to have been used much as in modern scientific language that is as nearly equivalent to correction.
Rege inconsulto The King not having been consulted. (Bacon).
Repræsentari To be presented at once, before the regular time. (Bacon, Nov. Org).
Rerum divinarum et humanarum scientia The knowledge of things human and divine. (Bacon, Adv., Bk. II).
Rerum pondera verborum frangit argutiis He dashes to pieces the weight of things with sharp words. (Bacon).
Res inæqualis sit Acts irregularly. (Bacon).
Responsa prudentum By the Roman Jurists was reckoned among the Fontes Juris, but with a few points in the history of Roman law on which it is more difficult to form a satisfactory opinion; no information exists to the form in which these Responsa were given, or as to the degree of authority with which they were invested. Common opinion is that they received absolute force of law in virtue of an ordinance of Augustus, and that more precise regulations with respect to cases in which a diversity of opinion existed were made by Hadrian. (Bacon, Adv., Bk. VIII).
Reverted benedictio mea in sinum meam The blessing returns to my lap. (Bacon).
Rosa solis Sundew. (Bacon, Syl. Sylv).
Paracelsus says that the herb is at noon and under a burning sun filled with dew, while all the other herbs round it are dry. (Bacon, Nov. Org).
Rubor est virtutis color A blush is virtue’s colour. (Bacon, Adv., Bk. I).
Rustici The illustration is derived, not from fencing, but from boxing. (Bacon, De Aug., Bk. VIII).