All conservatism is based upon the idea that if you leave things alone you leave them as they are. But you do not. If you leave a thing alone you leave it to a torrent of change.

Quote by Gilbert K Chesterton

Topics: Conservatism Quotes

A yawn is a silent shout.

A yawn is a silent shout.

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...

The most dangerous criminal now is the entirely lawless modern philosopher. Compared to him, burglars...

The most dangerous criminal now is the entirely lawless modern philosopher. Compared to him, burglars...

The only way of catching a train I have ever discovered is to miss the...

The only way of catching a train I have ever discovered is to miss the...

'My country, right or wrong' is a thing no patriot would ever think of saying...

'My country, right or wrong' is a thing no patriot would ever think of saying...

I owe my success to having listened respectfully to the very best advice, and then...

I owe my success to having listened respectfully to the very best advice, and then...

Chastity does not mean abstention from sexual wrong; it means something flaming, like Joan of...

Chastity does not mean abstention from sexual wrong; it means something flaming, like Joan of...

Being contented ought to mean in English, as it does in French, being pleased. Being...

Being contented ought to mean in English, as it does in French, being pleased. Being...

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

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

If a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing badly.

If a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing badly.

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.

In matters of truth the fact that you don't want to publish something is, nine...

In matters of truth the fact that you don't want to publish something is, nine...

We call a man a bigot or a slave of dogma because he is a...

We call a man a bigot or a slave of dogma because he is a...

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.

A puritan is a person who pours righteous indignation into the wrong things.

A puritan is a person who pours righteous indignation into the wrong things.

The vulgar man is always the most distinguished, for the very desire to be distinguished...

The vulgar man is always the most distinguished, for the very desire to be distinguished...

Lying in bed would be an altogether perfect and supreme experience if only one had...

Lying in bed would be an altogether perfect and supreme experience if only one had...

New roads; new ruts.

New roads; new ruts.

If I had only one sermon to preach it would be a sermon against pride.

If I had only one sermon to preach it would be a sermon against pride.

The family is the test of freedom; because the family is the only thing that...

The family is the test of freedom; because the family is the only thing that...