A Critical Appreciation of “Of Truth”

The essay “Of Truth” is written by Francis Bacon who is also called the
father of English prose. He was born in England is referred to as the brightest and
meanest of mankind.

The given essay is one of Bacon’s greatest essays which contain all his
signature styles. In it he describes the problems of lies and the importance and
benefit of truth.

The essay begins with an allusion which alludes to the trial of Jesus and then
goes on to show us how men usually prefers lies over truths as they are more
comfortable and flexible compared to the rigidness of truth. Here Bacon uses
various metaphors and similes to prove his point which are easy to follow through.

The essay is filled with metaphors and similes. For example, Bacon
compares in a metaphor truth to pearl which shines best in day light but is fixed
with its properties and lie to diamond which shines differently in different lights.
Later on he also uses simile to compare lie with the alloy used in gold coin which
does make the work better but lowers the quality. The essay also contains
examples of epigram such as, “A mixture of lie doth ever add pleasure”.

Bacon used various writing techniques to develop this essay. Like any other
essays by him “Of Truth” is an aphoristic write-up.
“To pass from theological, and philosophical truth, to the truth of civil business; it will be
acknowledged, even by those that practice it not, that clear, and round dealing, is the honor of
man’s nature;”

Is only one example of aphorism in this essay. The essay also contains multiple
allusions both biblical and general. Bacon refers to Jesting Pilate, God’s creation
and Montaigne. Like any other typical essays of his, this one is also brief,
condensed and epigrammatic in nature. The essay is also proverbial for the line,
“For a lie faces God, and shrinks from man.”

Bacon shows his intellectual superiority by using the Latin phrase

“vinum daemonum” which means in English the demon’s wine. Here he actually
quoted some father who called “poesy vinum daemonum” by which he wanted to
criticize lies as the poets highlights imagination through lies which does not just
passes through the human minds but stays in it.

So we can conclude that “Of Truth” is one of Bacon’s greatest essays which
contain all his signature styles and being didactic in nature it helps the reader grasp
the value of truth.