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Saturday, September 10, 2022

Innovation

Julian, Letters 20.453b (tr. Wilmer Cave Wright):
I avoid innovations in all things, so to speak, but more peculiarly in what concerns the gods.

φεύγω τὴν καινοτομίαν ἐν ἅπασι μέν, ὡς ἔπος εἰπεῖν, ἰδίᾳ δὲ ἐν τοῖς πρὸς τοὺς θεούς.
I think I'll adopt φεύγω τὴν καινοτομίαν ἐν ἅπασι as my motto.

Cf. Montaigne, Essays 1.23 (tr. Donald M. Frame):
I am disgusted with innovation, in whatever guise.

Je suis dégousté de toute nouvelleté, quelque visage qu'elle porte.