Every innovation disturbs more by its novelty than it benefits by its utility.

Explanation

The law disfavors unnecessary change — established customs and settled property rights should not be lightly overturned for the sake of novelty.

Where this applies

• A state proposes replacing a centuries-old common-law water rights system with an entirely new statutory scheme — the disruption to every landowner who relied on the old system far outweighs the speculative benefits of the new approach.
• A school board scraps a proven classical curriculum in favor of a trendy new pedagogy, and student performance plummets in the transition — the innovation disturbed more by its novelty than it benefited anyone.
• A city council replaces its established zoning code with an experimental mixed-use framework, and property values, building permits, and neighborhood stability all suffer during the chaotic transition — the disruption of the change outweighed its intended utility.

See also

• 5.1.13 Long possession begets right.
• 5.2.9 Prescription is a title derived from use and time, having the force of law.