|
Essay XXIV: Of Innovations
Essay XXIV: Of Innovations
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 ^1 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 ^2 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 ^3 other; and he that is 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.
[Footnote 1: By its course.]
[Footnote 2: Stubborn.]
[Footnote 3: Impairs.]
|
