Gilbert K. Chesterton 1874 -1936
Chesterton argued eloquently against all the trends that eventually took over the 20th century: materialism, scientific determinism, moral relativism, and spineless agnosticism. He also argued against both socialism and capitalism and showed why they have both been the enemies of freedom and justice in modern society.
And what did he argue for? What was it he defended? He defended “the common man” and common sense. He defended the poor. He defended the family. He defended beauty. And he defended Christianity and the Catholic Faith. These don’t play well in the classroom, in the media, or in the public arena. And that is probably why he is neglected. The modern world prefers writers who are snobs, who have exotic and bizarre ideas, who glorify decadence, who scoff at Christianity, who deny the dignity of the poor, and who think freedom means no responsibility.
A few quotes of many, I encourage everyone to read and comtemplate this man’s writings. The times and events we’re experiencing now were predicted nearly a century ago.
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We do not need a censorship of the press. We have a censorship by the press… It is not we who silence the press. It is the press who silences us.Gilbert K. Chesterton
The whole modern world has divided itself into Conservatives and Progressives. The business of Progressives is to go on making mistakes. The business of Conservatives is to prevent mistakes from being corrected.Gilbert K. Chesterton
But the truth is that it is only by believing in God that we can ever criticise the Government. Once abolish the God, and the Government becomes the God.Gilbert K. Chesterton
If men will not be governed by the Ten Commandments, they shall be governed by the ten thousand commandmentsGilbert K. Chesterton
These are the days when the Christian is expected to praise every creed except his own.Gilbert K. Chesterton
Journalism is popular, but it is popular mainly as fiction. Life is one world, and life seen in the newspapers is another.Gilbert K. Chesterton
It is assumed that the skeptic has no bias; whereas he has a very obvious bias in favour of skepticism.Gilbert K. Chesterton
The purpose of Compulsory Education is to deprive the common people of their commonsense.Gilbert K. Chesterton
Truths turn into dogmas the minute they are disputed.Gilbert K. Chesterton
A society is in decay, final or transitional, when common sense really becomes uncommon.Gilbert K. Chesterton