“The greatness of an estate, in bulk and territory, doth fall under measure; and the greatness of finances and revenue, doth fall under computation. The population may appear by musters; and the number and greatness of cities and towns by cards and maps. But yet there is not any thing amongst civil affairs more subject to error, than the right valuation and true judgment concerning the power and forces of an estate.”

— Francis Bacon , book Essays

Of the True Greatness of Kingdoms and Estates
Essays (1625)

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Francis Bacon 295

English philosopher, statesman, scientist, jurist, and auth… 1561–1626

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