Unmarried men are best friends, best masters, best servants; but not always best subjects; for they are light to run away; and almost all fugitives are of that condition.

 Of Marriage and Single Life - Part B

Explanation:

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  "Unmarried men are best friends, best masters, best servants; but not always best subjects; for they are light to run away; and almost all fugitives are of that condition."

This extract has been taken from Francis Bacon's essay "Of Marriage and Single Life". The essayist here speaks of both the advantages and disadvantages of remaining unmarried.

According to Bacon, unmarried people are best friends, because they do not have to care for their family and can afford much time, energy and also money to spend for their friends and admirers. They are the best masters in the sense that they are kind and sympathetic. They are not so strict towards their slaves. That is why, they are admired by those serving under him. As servants, unmarried people are more free to devote themselves to their masters. But they lead a careless life and so they do not make good citizens. As they are free from family life, they can run away at any time. These unmarried people do not have the same sense of responsibility as a married person has. Thus, Bacon's attitude to the unmarried people, as expressed in the above lines, are based on utilitarian consideration.