There is nothing the matter with Americans except their ideals. The real American is all right; it is the ideal American who is all wrong.

Quote by Gilbert K Chesterton

Topics: Gilbert K Chesterton Quotes

Nothing is poetical if plain daylight is not poetical; and no monster should amaze us...

Nothing is poetical if plain daylight is not poetical; and no monster should amaze us...

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.

All conservatism is based upon the idea that if you leave things alone you leave...

All conservatism is based upon the idea that if you leave things alone you leave...

Cruelty is, perhaps, the worst kid of sin. Intellectual cruelty is certainly the worst kind...

Cruelty is, perhaps, the worst kid of sin. Intellectual cruelty is certainly the worst kind...

Once I planned to write a book of poems entirely about the things in my...

Once I planned to write a book of poems entirely about the things in my...

Literature is a luxury; fiction is a necessity.

Literature is a luxury; fiction is a necessity.

Science in the modern world has many uses; its chief use, however, is to provide...

Science in the modern world has many uses; its chief use, however, is to provide...

The true object of all human life is play. Earth is a task garden; heaven...

The true object of all human life is play. Earth is a task garden; heaven...

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...

All architecture is great architecture after sunset; perhaps architecture is really a nocturnal art, like...

All architecture is great architecture after sunset; perhaps architecture is really a nocturnal art, like...

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...

We are justified in enforcing good morals, for they belong to all mankind; but we...

We are justified in enforcing good morals, for they belong to all mankind; but we...

Experience which was once claimed by the aged is now claimed exclusively by the young.

Experience which was once claimed by the aged is now claimed exclusively by the young.

New roads; new ruts.

New roads; new ruts.

It is the test of a good religion whether you can joke about it.

It is the test of a good religion whether you can joke about it.

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.

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.

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

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

To be clever enough to get all that money, one must be stupid enough to...

To be clever enough to get all that money, one must be stupid enough to...

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...