Stuff from the Treasury of G K Chesterton

Impartiality is a pompous name for indifference, which is an elegant name for ignorance.

What embitters the world is not excess of criticism, but an absence of self-criticism

Moderate strength is shown in violence, supreme strength is shown in levity.

I believe what really happens in history is this: the old man is always wrong; and the young people are always wrong about what is wrong with him. The practical form it takes is this: that, while the old man may stand by some stupid custom, the young man always attacks it with some theory that turns out to be equally stupid.

The center of every man's existence is a dream. Death, disease, insanity, are merely material accidents, like a toothache or a twisted ankle. That these brutal forces always besiege and often capture the citadel does not prove that they are the citadel.

To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it.

All the exaggerations are right, if they exaggerate the right thing.

- G K Chesterton

Meet this Giant!

Gilbert Keith Chesterton (1874-1936) cannot be summed up in one sentence. Nor in one paragraph. In fact, in spite of the fine biographies that have been written of him, he has never been captured between the covers of one book.
But rather than waiting to separate the goats from the sheep, let’s just come right out and say it - G.K. Chesterton was the best writer of the 20th century. He said something about everything and he said it better than anybody else. But he was no mere wordsmith. He was very good at expressing himself, but more importantly, he had something very good to express.
I think the reason he was the greatest writer of the 20th century was because he was also the greatest thinker of the 20th century. He was also one of the greatest defenders of the Christian faith in Christian language. Following is one of his famous poems regarding the crucifixion.

When fishes flew and forests walked
And figs grew upon thorn,
Some moment when the moon was blood
Then surely I was born;
With monstrous head and sickening cry
And ears like errant wings,
The devil's walking parody
On all four-footed things.
The tattered outlaw of the earth,
Of ancient crooked will;
Starve, scourge, deride me:
I am dumb, I keep my secret still.
Fools! For I also had my hour;
One far fierce hour and sweet:
There was a shout about my ears,
And palms before my feet.

Love our Enemies

The Bible tells us to love our neighbors, and also to love our enemies;
probably because they are generally the same people.
- G. K. Chesterton

What's wrong with the World?

Years ago the London Times ran an article asking the question, "What is wrong with the world?" It encouraged readers to respond. I am sure the editor must have read the following reply more than once before its profound truth sank in.

Dear Sir, In response to your question, "What is wrong with the world?"

I am.

Yours Truly,
G. K. Chesterton.