“As the births of living creatures are at first ill-shapen, so are all innovations, which are the births of time.”
- January 22, 1561 – April 9, 1626
- Born in England
- Philosopher, theologian, jurist, politician, aristocrat
- Proposed the “inductive method” that laid the foundations of modern science, and influenced later generations as the founder of British empiricism
Quote
“As the births of living creatures are at first ill-shapen, so are all innovations, which are the births of time.”
Explanation
In this quote, Francis Bacon draws a comparison between the births of living creatures and the emergence of innovations, suggesting that both begin in an imperfect or rough state. Just as newly born creatures are often not fully formed and require time to grow and develop, so too are innovations in their early stages—often imperfect or misunderstood at first. Bacon implies that innovation, like life, often starts with flaws or challenges and takes time to be refined and fully realized. He suggests that we should expect and accept the initial imperfection of new ideas, recognizing that over time, they can be matured and shaped into something valuable.
Bacon’s view aligns with his empiricist philosophy, where he advocates for the development of knowledge through trial, error, and experience. During the Renaissance, new ideas were emerging in fields like science, art, and politics, and many of these innovations were initially met with resistance or misinterpretation. Bacon, as a philosopher and scientist, understood that the process of discovery and innovation required patience and the willingness to accept imperfection at the outset, as new ideas had to undergo testing, refinement, and adaptation before achieving their full potential.
In modern times, this quote resonates with our understanding of the innovative process in fields like technology, business, and creative industries. Today, we see that startups, inventions, or artistic creations often begin in a rough or experimental form, and their true potential is realized through time, adaptation, and development. Bacon’s insight reminds us that new ideas and innovations should not be judged too harshly at first but given the time and resources needed to grow and mature. This process of evolution from imperfection to maturity is essential to progress and success.
