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 worthy1 than most that succeed, so the first precedent2 (if it be good) is seldom attained3 by imitation. For ill, to man’s nature, as it stands perverted4, 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 innovator5; 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 retention6 of custom, is as turbulent a thing as an innovation; and they that reverence7 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, whatsoever8 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 Scripture9 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.
![](../../../skin/default/image/4.jpg)
![收听单词发音](/template/default/tingnovel/images/play.gif)
1
worthy
![]() |
|
adj.(of)值得的,配得上的;有价值的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
2
precedent
![]() |
|
n.先例,前例;惯例;adj.在前的,在先的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
3
attained
![]() |
|
(通常经过努力)实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 ); 达到; 获得; 达到(某年龄、水平、状况) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
4
perverted
![]() |
|
adj.不正当的v.滥用( pervert的过去式和过去分词 );腐蚀;败坏;使堕落 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
5
innovator
![]() |
|
n.改革者;创新者 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
6
retention
![]() |
|
n.保留,保持,保持力,记忆力 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
7
reverence
![]() |
|
n.敬畏,尊敬,尊严;Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称;v.尊敬,敬畏,崇敬 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
8
whatsoever
![]() |
|
adv.(用于否定句中以加强语气)任何;pron.无论什么 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
9
scripture
![]() |
|
n.经文,圣书,手稿;Scripture:(常用复数)《圣经》,《圣经》中的一段 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
欢迎访问英文小说网 |