Young men are fitter to invent than to judge; fitter for execution
than for counsel; and fitter for new projects than for settled business.
For the experience of age, in things that fall within the compass of it,
directeth them; but in new things, abuseth them. The errors of young men
are the ruin of business; but the errors of aged men amount but to this,
that more might have been done, or sooner. Young men, in the conduct and
management of actions, embrace more than they can hold; stir more than they
can quiet; fly to the end, without consideration of the means and degrees;
pursue some few principles which they have chanced upon absurdly; care not
how they innovate, which draws unknown inconveniences; and, that which doubleth
all errors, will not acknowledge or retract them; like an unready horse, that
will neither stop nor turn. Men of age object too much, consult too long,
adventure too little, repent too soon, and seldom drive business home to the
full period, but content themselves with a mediocrity of success. Certainly,
it is good to compound employments of both ... because the virtues of either
age may correct the defects of both.
-- Sir Francis Bacon (1561-1626), "Essay on Youth and Age"
