OF INNOVATIONS 59 



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 honour 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 111, 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 medi- 

 cine 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 favoured. 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, and by degrees scarce to be 

 perceived. For otherwise, whatsoever is new is unlocked 

 for ; and ever it mends some, and pairs 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 



