The phrase scientia potentia est (sometimes written as scientia est potentia) is a Latin maxim often claimed to mean "knowledge is power". It is commonly attributed to Sir Francis Bacon; however, there is no known occurrence of this precise phrase in Bacon's English or Latin writings. However, this phrase does appear in Thomas Hobbes' 1658 work De Homine, cap. x  : "Scientia potentia est, sed parva; quia scientia egregia rara est, nec proinde apparens nisi paucissimis, et in paucis rebus. Scientiae enim ea natura est, ut esse intelligi non possit, nisi ab illis qui sunt scientia praediti.
This was translated as "The sciences, are small power; because not eminent; and therefore, not acknowledged in any man; nor are at all, but in a few, and in them, but of a few things. For science is of that nature, as none can understand it to be, but such as in a good measure have attained it" in Thomas Hobbes, The English Works, vol. III (Leviathan) [1651] in The English Works of Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury; Now First Collected and Edited by Sir William Molesworth, Bart., (London: Bohn, 1839–45). 11 vols. Vol. 3. p 47. This passage from Chapter X ("Of power, worth, dignity, honour, and worthiness" occurs in a list of various attributes of man which constitute power; in this list, "sciences" or "the sciences" are given a minor position.