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Of Innovations
by Francis Bacon |
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As the births of living creatures, at first are ill-shapen so are
all innovations, which are the births of time. Yet notwithstanding, as
those that first bring honor into their family, are commonly more
worthy than most that succeed, so the first precedent (if it be
good) is seldom attained by imitation. For ill, to man's nature, as it
stands perverted, hath a natural motion, strongest in continuance; but
good, as a forced motion, strongest at first. Surely every medicine is
an innovation; and he that will not apply new remedies, must expect
new evils; for time is the greatest innovator; and if time of course
alter things to the worse, and wisdom and counsel shall not alter them
to the better, what shall be the end? It is true, that what is settled
by custom, though it be not good, yet at least it is fit; and those
things which have long gone together, are, as it were, confederate
within themselves; whereas new things piece not so well; but though
they help by their utility, yet they trouble by their inconformity.
Besides, they are like strangers; more admired, and less favored.
All this is true, if time stood still; which contrariwise moveth so
round, that a froward retention of custom, is as turbulent a thing
as an innovation; and they that reverence too much old times, are
but a scorn to the new. It were good, therefore, that men in their
innovations would follow the example of time itself; which indeed
innovateth greatly, but quietly, by degrees scarce to be perceived.
For otherwise, whatsoever is new is unlooked for; and ever it mends
some, and pairs others; and he that holpen, takes it for a fortune,
and thanks the time; and he that is hurt, for a wrong, and imputeth it
to the author. It is good also, not to try experiments in states,
except the necessity be urgent, or the utility evident; and well to
beware, that it be the reformation, that draweth on the change, and
not the desire of change, that pretendeth the reformation. And lastly,
that the novelty, though it be not rejected, yet be held for a
suspect; and, as the Scripture saith, that we make a stand upon the
ancient way, and then look about us, and discover what is the straight
and right way, and so to walk in it.
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contact: morgan at [email protected] page last modified: thu jan 12 01:37:48 2006 |
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