Gilbert K. Chesterton Quotes

Men can construct a science with very few instruments, or with very plain instruments; but no one on earth could construct a science with unreliable instruments. A man might work out the whole of mathematics with a handful of pebbles, but not with a handful of clay which was always falling apart into new fragments, and falling together into new combinations. A man might measure heaven and earth with a reed, but not with a growing reed.

5 years ago

Message Copied

Tags : Gilbert K. Chesterton Quotes , Fall Quotes , Men Quotes

You have not wasted your time; you have helped to save the world. We are not buffoons, but very desperate men at war with a vast conspiracy.

5 years ago

Message Copied

Tags : Gilbert K. Chesterton Quotes , War Quotes , Men Quotes

My life is passed in making bad jokes and seeing them turn into true prophecies.

5 years ago

Message Copied

Tags : Gilbert K. Chesterton Quotes , Life Is Quotes , Bad Jokes Quotes

The Declaration of Independence dogmatically bases all rights on the fact that God created all men equal; and it is right; for if they were not created equal, they were certainly evolved unequal. There is no basis for democracy except in a dogma about the divine origin of man.

5 years ago

Message Copied

Tags : Gilbert K. Chesterton Quotes , Men Quotes , Rights Quotes

The more we are proud that the Bethlehem story is plain enough to be understood by the shepherds, and almost by the sheep, the more do we let ourselves go, in dark and gorgeous imaginative frescoes or pageants about the mystery and majesty of the Three Magian Kings.

5 years ago

Message Copied

Tags : Gilbert K. Chesterton Quotes , Christmas Quotes , Kings Quotes

In the fairy tale, an incomprehensible happiness rests upon an incomprehensible condition. A box is opened and all evils fly out. A word is forgotten and cities perish. A lamp is lit and love flies away. An apple is eaten and the hope of God is gone.

5 years ago

Message Copied

Tags : Gilbert K. Chesterton Quotes , Apples Quotes , Cities Quotes

None of the modern machines, none of the modern paraphernalia. . . have any power except over the people who choose to use them.

5 years ago

Message Copied

Tags : Gilbert K. Chesterton Quotes , People Quotes , Progress Quotes

The hands that had made the sun and stars were too small to reach the huge heads of the cattle. Upon this paradox, we might almost say upon this jest, all the literature of our faith is founded.

5 years ago

Message Copied

Tags : Gilbert K. Chesterton Quotes , Stars Quotes , Hands Quotes

The disadvantage of men not knowing the past is that they do not know the present.

5 years ago

Message Copied

Tags : Gilbert K. Chesterton Quotes , Wisdom Quotes , Past Quotes

Real development is not leaving things behind, as on a road, but drawing life from them, as from a root.

5 years ago

Message Copied

Tags : Gilbert K. Chesterton Quotes , Real Quotes , Roots Quotes

Man seems to be capable of great virtues but not of small virtues; capable of defying his torturer but not of keeping his temper.

5 years ago

Message Copied

Tags : Gilbert K. Chesterton Quotes , Men Quotes , Literature Quotes

I tell you naught for your comfort, Yea, naught for your desire, Save that the sky grows darker yet And the sea rises higher.

5 years ago

Message Copied

Tags : Gilbert K. Chesterton Quotes , Sea Quotes , Sky Quotes

The most incredible thing about miracles is that they happen.

5 years ago

Message Copied

Tags : Gilbert K. Chesterton Quotes , Miracle Quotes , Incredibles Quotes

If the apple hit Newton’s nose, Newton’s nose hit the apple.

5 years ago

Message Copied

Tags : Gilbert K. Chesterton Quotes , Apples Quotes , Noses Quotes

With all that we hear of American hustle and hurry, it is rather strange that Americans seem to like to linger on longer words.

5 years ago

Message Copied

Tags : Gilbert K. Chesterton Quotes , Hustle Quotes , Culture Quotes

Adventure is the champagne of life.

5 years ago

Message Copied

Tags : Gilbert K. Chesterton Quotes , Inspirational Quotes , Inspirational Life Quotes

You can't have the family farm without the family.

5 years ago

Message Copied

Tags : Gilbert K. Chesterton Quotes , Economic Quotes , Family Farms Quotes

Then I only wondered who put the toys in the stocking; now I wonder who put the stocking by the bed, and the bed in the room, and the room in the house, and the house on the planet, and the great planet in the void.

5 years ago

Message Copied

Tags : Gilbert K. Chesterton Quotes , House Quotes , Bed Quotes

Your next-door neighbor is not a man; he is an environment. He is the barking of a dog; he is the noise of a piano; he is a dispute about a party wall; he is drains that are worse than yours, or roses that are better than yours.

5 years ago

Message Copied

Tags : Gilbert K. Chesterton Quotes , Funny Quotes , Dog Quotes

Men feel that cruelty to the poor is a kind of cruelty to animals. They never feel that it is an injustice to equals; nay it is treachery to comrades.

5 years ago

Message Copied

Tags : Gilbert K. Chesterton Quotes , Men Quotes , Animal Quotes