William Penn. (1644–1718). Fruits of Solitude.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.
Art and Project
227. Art, is Good, where it is beneficial. Socrates wisely bounded his Knowledge and Instruction by Practice.
228. Have a care therefore of Projects: And yet despise nothing rashly, or in the Lump.
229. Ingenuity, as well as Religion, sometimes suffers between two Thieves; Pretenders and Despisers.
230. Though injudicious and dishonest Projectors often discredit Art, yet the most useful and extraordinary Inventions have not, at first, escap’d the Scorn of Ignorance; as their Authors, rarely, have cracking of their Heads, or breaking their backs.
231. Undertake no Experiment, in Speculation, that appears not true in Art; nor then, at thine own Cost, if costly or hazardous in making.
232. As many Hands make light Work, so several Purses make cheap Experiments.