A radical generally meant a man who thought he could somehow pull up the root without affecting the flower. A conservative generally meant a man who wanted to conserve everything except his own reason for conserving anything.

Quote by Gilbert K Chesterton

Topics: Gilbert K Chesterton Quotes

A yawn is a silent shout.

A yawn is a silent shout.

People generally quarrel because they cannot argue.

People generally quarrel because they cannot argue.

There is but an inch of difference between a cushioned chamber and a padded cell.

There is but an inch of difference between a cushioned chamber and a padded cell.

Some men never feel small, but these are the few men who are.

Some men never feel small, but these are the few men who are.

There are no rules of architecture for a castle in the clouds.

There are no rules of architecture for a castle in the clouds.

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

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

Women prefer to talk in twos, while men prefer to talk in threes.

Women prefer to talk in twos, while men prefer to talk in threes.

The whole object of travel is not to set foot on foreign land; it is...

The whole object of travel is not to set foot on foreign land; it is...

One sees great things from the valley; only small things from the peak.

One sees great things from the valley; only small things from the peak.

We make our friends; we make our enemies; but God makes our next door neighbour.

We make our friends; we make our enemies; but God makes our next door neighbour.

Artistic temperament is the disease that afflicts amateurs.

Artistic temperament is the disease that afflicts amateurs.

A businessman is the only man who is forever apologizing for his occupation.

A businessman is the only man who is forever apologizing for his occupation.

Compromise used to mean that half a loaf was better than no bread. Among modern...

Compromise used to mean that half a loaf was better than no bread. Among modern...

One may understand the cosmos, but never the ego; the self is more distant than...

One may understand the cosmos, but never the ego; the self is more distant than...

The only way to be sure of catching a train is to miss the one...

The only way to be sure of catching a train is to miss the one...

The greenhorn is the ultimate victor in everything; it is he that gets the most...

The greenhorn is the ultimate victor in everything; it is he that gets the most...

An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly...

An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly...

What people call impartiality may simply mean indifference, and what people call partiality may simply...

What people call impartiality may simply mean indifference, and what people call partiality may simply...

The trouble with always trying to preserve the health of the body is that it...

The trouble with always trying to preserve the health of the body is that it...

And they that rule in England, in stately conclaves met, alas, alas for England they...

And they that rule in England, in stately conclaves met, alas, alas for England they...