The Essays of Francis Bacon/XXIV Of Innovations

by Francis Bacon

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 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^[1] 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^[2] 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.^[3] Besides, they are like strangers; more admired and less favoured. All this is true, if time stood still; which contrariwise moveth so round,^[4] 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 unlooked for; and ever it mends some, and pairs^[5] other; and he that is holpen^[6] 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;^[7] 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.^[8]

1. Medicine. Remedy.
2. To. For.
3. Inconformity. Want of conformity 'to' ('unto') or 'with' a pattern; dissimilarity.
4. Round, flat adverb, quick, swift; the idea is of an easy, smooth, brisk motion, like that of a wheel.

   "Round was their pace at first, but slacken'd soon."

   Tennyson. Geraint and Enid.

5. Pairs. Impairs, injures.

   "No faith so fast (quoth she) but flesh does paire.
   Flesh may empaire (quoth he) but reason can repaire."
   Spenser. The Faery Queene. Book I. Canto vii. Stanza 41.

6. Holpen. Strong past participle of help.

   "The holy blisful martir for to seeke,
   That hem hath holpen whan that they were seeke."
   

   Chaucer. The Prologue. II. 17–18.

7. Suspect. Suspicion.

   "My Lord of Gloster, 't is my special hope,
   That you will clear yourself from all suspect."
   

   Shakspere. II. King Henry VI. iii. 1.

8. "Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls." Jeremiah vi. 16.