"We have a maxim in the House of Commons, and written on the walls of our houses, that old ways are the safest and surest ways"

This quote by Edward Coke is a reminder of the value of custom and the worth of experience. He is suggesting that the attempted and evaluated approaches of the past are the safest and most dependable methods of doing things. This is a belief that is still appropriate today, as much of the most effective companies and companies are those that have actually been around for a very long time and have a strong sense of custom. Coke's quote is a suggestion that it is typically smart to stick to the attempted and checked approaches of the past, rather than taking threats with untested concepts. This is especially real in politics, where the effects of a wrong choice can be significant and lasting. Coke's quote is a pointer that it is frequently best to stay with the tried and evaluated approaches of the past, instead of taking threats with untried ideas.