“What is conservatism? Is it not the adherence to the old and tried against the new and untried?”
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About this quote
The line forces a clear decision: keep proven methods or gamble on untested change. Stop romanticizing novelty without results and demand evidence before you swap reliability for risk. Take responsibility for choices—protect what works, but test change carefully rather than following impulse.
When to use it
- In a product meeting, use the quote to push for a pilot test before replacing a reliable system with unproven software.
- Tell your team the line when they chase the latest trend: require measurable results, not just enthusiasm.
- When a friend wants to ditch a steady routine for every new productivity hack, use the idea to argue for sticking with what produces results until the new method proves itself.
- As a policymaker, insist on small trials and data first rather than sweeping reforms based solely on theory or fashion.

