hostages to fortune

He that hath wife and children hath given hostages to fortune; for they are impediments to great enterprises, either of virtue or mischief. Certainly the best works, and of greatest merit for the public, have proceeded from the unmarried or childless men; which both in affection and means, have married and endowed the public.

Francis Bacon
--Of Marriage and the Single Life

This was in my inbox this morning, courtesy of the Daily Philosophical Quotations list. In my never humble opinion I think it’s a pretty simplistic notion. After all, Bach had how many wives and over a dozen children and also had to make a living? If his work does not warrant the “greatest merit”, then whose does? There is, of course, a grain of truth to it, only it seems more applicable to women than to men (and wasn’t Bacon a notorious misogynist?). She that hath husband and children hath given hostages to fortune.

The first women who popped into my head to illustrate this are the 20th century grand dames of North American art. Mexico’s Frida Kahlo, Canada’s Emily Carr and America’s Georgia O’Keeffe were all childless women who achieved a measure of success during their lifetimes. Two were married to other artists/patrons, Emily Carr being the only one who remained single and also had to earn a living. Their paintings are worth millions now and they were definitely not ignored in their lifetimes.

I think it’s possible to both create a legacy and raise a family: man or woman, now or then. If it’s impossible while raising children, then what about the years before and after? Van Gogh’s painting career spanned a mere decade, and Mozart died at age 35. To every rule there are many exceptions... and isn't the point to be exceptional?