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Orthodoxy
When a religious scheme is shattered (as Christianity was shattered at the Reformation), it is not merely the vices that are let loose. The vices are, indeed, let loose, and they wander and do damage. But the virtues are let loose also; and the virtues wander more wildly, and the virtues do more terrible damage. The modern world is full of the old
... See moreG. K. (Gilbert Keith) Chesterton • Orthodoxy
Art is limitation; the essence of every picture is the frame.
G. K. (Gilbert Keith) Chesterton • Orthodoxy
The Christian is quite free to believe that there is a considerable amount of settled order and inevitable development in the universe. But the materialist is not allowed to admit into his spotless machine the slightest speck of spiritualism or miracle.
G. K. (Gilbert Keith) Chesterton • Orthodoxy
There would be less bustle if there were more activity, if people were simply walking about. Our world would be more silent if it were more strenuous. And this which is true of the apparent physical bustle is true also of the apparent bustle of the intellect.
G. K. (Gilbert Keith) Chesterton • Orthodoxy
The main defence of these thinkers is that they are not thinkers; they are makers. They say that choice is itself the divine thing. Thus Mr. Bernard Shaw has attacked the old idea that men's acts are to be judged by the standard of the desire of happiness. He says that a man does not act for his happiness, but from his will.
G. K. (Gilbert Keith) Chesterton • Orthodoxy
It is the new rulers, the capitalist or the editor, who really hold up the modern world. There is no fear that a modern king will attempt to override the constitution; it is more likely that he will ignore the constitution and work behind its back; he will take no advantage of his kingly power; it is more likely that he will take advantage of his k
... See moreG. K. (Gilbert Keith) Chesterton • Orthodoxy
Pragmatism is a matter of human needs; and one of the first of human needs is to be something more than a pragmatist.
G. K. (Gilbert Keith) Chesterton • Orthodoxy
The only words that ever satisfied me as describing Nature are the terms used in the fairy books, "charm," "spell," "enchantment." They express the arbitrariness of the fact and its mystery.
G. K. (Gilbert Keith) Chesterton • Orthodoxy
The man of this school goes first to a political meeting, where he complains that savages are treated as if they were beasts; then he takes his hat and umbrella and goes on to a scientific meeting, where he proves that they practically are beasts.
G. K. (Gilbert Keith) Chesterton • Orthodoxy
Morality did not begin by one man saying to another, "I will not hit you if you do not hit me"; there is no trace of such a transaction. There IS a trace of both men having said, "We must not hit each other in the holy place." They gained their morality by guarding their religion. They did not cultivate courage. They fought for
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