"He that hath wife and children hath given hostages to fortune; for they are impediments to great enterprises, either of virtue or mischief"

Francis Bacon reflects on the influence of familial commitments, specifically, having a wife and children, on an individual’s freedom and ambition. To "give hostages to fortune" is to place oneself at the mercy of unpredictable events; a person with a family is tethered by emotional bonds and responsibilities that make risk-taking costlier and success or failure more consequential. Fortune, symbolizing the unpredictable forces of life, gains leverage over those with loved ones, given that their happiness, well-being, and futures become inextricably linked to one’s actions and decisions.

When Bacon speaks of families as "impediments to great enterprises", he refers to the way personal obligations can restrain bold endeavors. Ambitious undertakings, whether noble acts ("virtue") or audacious, possibly unscrupulous ventures ("mischief"), often require sacrifices, risk exposure, and a willingness to confront uncertainty head-on. Individuals unburdened by familial ties may act with greater daring; their losses and gains are largely their own, and they may follow their aspirations wherever they lead. In contrast, those encumbered with dependents carry a double weight: not only do they risk their own security, but that of their family. The natural inclination is to avoid unnecessary peril to safeguard loved ones, resulting in a more cautious demeanor and potentially limiting the pursuit of glory, innovation, or even infamy.

Bacon’s observation does not denigrate family life but rather underscores its profound effect on personal agency. Human attachments provide meaning and satisfaction but can also inhibit extreme forms of ambition. Both virtue and mischief can demand the ruthlessness or detachment less available to those deeply invested in the fates of others. The presence of a family thus reins in reckless or grand pursuits, for the stakes are dramatically heightened; the consequences of one's actions ripple outward, staking more than one’s own fortune.