Men fear death as children fear to go in the dark; and as that natural fear in children is increased by tales, so is the other.

Francis Bacon’s quote, "Men fear death as children fear to go in the dark; and as that natural fear in children is increased by tales, so is the other," draws a comparison between the fear of death and the fear children have of the dark. Bacon suggests that just as children’s fear of the dark is often exaggerated by stories or warnings from others, the fear of death is similarly amplified by society, culture, and often superstition. The quote highlights how both fears are rooted in uncertainty and the unknown, but are further intensified by the narratives we are taught.

Bacon’s analogy suggests that fear is a learned response, one that is not necessarily innate but is reinforced by the influence of external influences. Just as stories of monsters or danger can make a child’s fear of the dark more intense, societal and religious narratives surrounding death—such as the fear of the afterlife or judgment—can magnify our natural fear of mortality. This comparison points to the role of cultural beliefs and psychological factors in shaping our perceptions of death.

As a philosopher and scientist, Bacon was concerned with the way human beings often let emotion and fear cloud their reasoning and understanding. In this quote, he is commenting on how human fears are often disproportionate to the actual reality of the situation. Just as children’s fears of the dark may dissipate with understanding and experience, Bacon suggests that our fear of death may also be diminished by a clearer understanding of life and death, removing the mystique and exaggeration that society often places on it.

The origin of this quote lies in Bacon’s broader philosophical work, where he explored human emotion, reason, and the ways in which fear and superstition hinder human progress. By drawing a parallel between the fear of death and childhood fears, Bacon encourages a more rational and less emotional approach to understanding mortality, highlighting how fear can be manipulated and exaggerated by external forces.