1,399 Quotes by Gilbert K. Chesterton

I may not practice what I preach but God forbid I should preach what I practice

Every one on this earth should believe, amid whatever madness or moral failure, that his life and temperament have some object on the earth. Every one on the earth should believe that he has something to give to the world which cannot otherwise be given.

I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.

The supreme adventure is being BORN

[Consider] a fence or gate erected across a road] The more modern type of reformer goes gaily up to it and says, "I don't see the use of this; let us clear it away." To which the more intelligent type of reformer will do well to answer: "If you don't see the use of it, I certainly won't let you clear it away. Go away and think. Then, when you can come back and tell me that you do see the use of it, I may allow you to destroy it."

The fatal metaphor of progress, which means leaving things behind us, has utterly obscured the real idea of growth, which means leaving things inside us.

Laughter has something in it common with the ancient words of faith and inspiration; it unfreezes pride and unwinds secrecy; it makes people forget themselves in the presence of something greater than themselves.

Faith means believing the unbelievable.

Teach to the young, men's enduring truths, and let the learned amuse themselves with their passing errors.