G.K. Chesterton Quote Of The Week
As I said last week, Thursday's are G.K. Days here at AVITW. Today we present an excerpt from Heretics, Chesterton's collection of essays exposing the intellectual and moral problems with many of the leading ideologies of his time.
Every one of the popular modern phrases and ideals is a dodge in order to shirk the problem of what is good. We are fond of talking about "liberty"; that, as we talk of it, is a dodge to avoid discussing what is good. We are fond of talking about "progress"; that is a dodge to avoid discussing what is good. We are fond of talking about "education"; that is a dodge to avoid discussing what is good.
The modern man says, "Let us leave all these arbitrary standards and embrace liberty." This is, logicall rendered, "Let us not decide what is good, but let it be considered good not to decide it." He says, "Away with your old moral formulae; I am for progress." This, logically stated, means, "Let us not settle what is good; but let us settle whether we are getting more of it." He says, " Neither in religion nor morality, my friend, lie the hopes of the race, but in education." This , clearly expressed, means, "We cannot decide what is good, but let us give it to our children."
He wrote these words a century ago, but I'm guessing you've already picked up on the fact that they are more than applicable today.
If you've never read any Chesterton, Heretics is the place to start.
What is “Mere Conservatism”?
The basic ideas, ideals, and values that generally define and characterize the central tenets of what today might be termed "modern conservative thought."
We believe that a proper understanding of history, economics, and theology leads to certain conclusions. Many of these are the same conclusions our Founding Fathers arrived at in constructing a "more perfect union."
All ideas and opinions are welcome; not all are correct.
Mere Conservatism Links:
Econ Part I | Econ Part II
Intro | Theology | History
RJ Speaking at Acton 2010
Rudy the Dog barks at "change"
RJ's Social Network
Wall Street Journal
Blogroll
- Acton Power Blog
- Adam In The City
- Andrew Belle
- Big Government
- Big Hollywood
- Black and Red
- Conservative Daily Blog
- Dad's blog
- Dennis Prager (The Master)
- Desiring God (John Piper)
- Doug Giles (Clash Radio)
- Hugh Hewitt
- Jihad Watch
- Michael Medved
- Milton Friedman
- Mom's blog
- My LOST blog
- Only Good Movies
- Patriots Corner
- Say NO to ACORN
- Stiletto Blog
- Subscribe via RSS
- The Straight Hype
- Twitter Me
Columnists You Need to Read
- Ann Coulter
- Charles Krauthammer
- Christopher Hitchens
- George Will
- Jonah Goldberg
- Karl Rove
- Mark Steyn
- Marvin Olasky
- Thomas Sowell
- Tony Blankley
- Walter E. Williams
News/Politics
- Drudge Report
- Fact Check
- Fox News
- Hot Air
- Jerusalem Post
- National Review
- Newt Gingrich
- Nolan Chart
- Real Clear Politics
- The Savage Nation
- Townhall
- Washington Times
- Weekly Standard
Thinktanks
- Acton Institute
- American Enterprise Institute
- Cato Institute
- Center For Health Transformation
- Heritage Foundation
Archives
Categories
- Abortion (3)
- Afhganistan (1)
- Baseball (3)
- Books (4)
- Chesterton (1)
- Climate Change (7)
- Cultural Issues – Linked Article (193)
- Economics – Linked Article (96)
- Education (13)
- Election News (9)
- Entertainment News (15)
- Environment Issues (12)
- Food (1)
- Foreign Policy (11)
- Gay Marriage (1)
- Health Care (37)
- Historical – Linked Article (13)
- Hollyweird (2)
- Immigration (5)
- Iran (5)
- Iraq – Linked Article (2)
- Islam (12)
- Israel – Linked Article (1)
- Liberal Commentary (4)
- Liberty and Freedom (40)
- Local – Chicago (1)
- Mainstream Media Update (19)
- Mere Conservatism (10)
- Movie Review (9)
- Music (1)
- Original Columns (92)
- Pakistan (1)
- Political Scandals (29)
- Politics – Linked Article (169)
- Public vs. Private Sector (8)
- Quotes and Sayings (21)
- Race Issues (18)
- Religion (7)
- Social Justice (3)
- Sports (3)
- Supreme Court (5)
- Taliban (1)
- Tax Issues (1)
- Terrorism – Linked Article (15)
- Uncategorized (602)
- United Nations Stuff (1)
January 21st, 2010 - 12:25
It is interesting that even Jesus had a problem with what is “good”. “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked, “No one is good but God alone.” Now, I do not think Jesus meant here that He was not God, nor did He mean that He was subordinate to God; He meant that He was God and He was good! Certainly His miracles were incredible, His teachings sublime, and His example perfect. But Jesus came to us in the first place to make us “good” again. He came to offer Himself as a sacrifice on our behalf and so to cleanse us of our sins.
We must always start at the beginning, at the “Good”. For from Him we have our being and are accepted, being considered “good” once again.
And GKC shows us that “goodness” of course has its author in God, the one true, consistent, and eternal “Good” in this universe.
January 21st, 2010 - 12:44
Chesterton’s name is one that you hear from time to time, and always like what you hear, but never have actually read. I think that’s gonna have to change for me. I found your blog a few weeks back, and am very glad that I did. I love your mix of politics, economics, and moral topics.
Keep up the good work.
January 21st, 2010 - 15:12
I haven’t read any Chesterton since college, but this quote has got me thinking I need to head to Amazon.com and get back in the GK groove. I’ve read Heretics already…any suggestions, RJ?
As far as this quote is concerned, I couldn’t agree more. We argue over what should be done and never stop to ask ourselves (and each other) why anything should be done at all? Why do we even get up in the morning? Why is dealing with global warming or allowing for gay marriage a moral necessity? The Left never wants to get too deep in to this type of discussion because it points to religion and a Higher Power (and standard). It points to Judeo-Christian values. These are things the Left don’t want to have bogging them down with actual truth and wisdom. It’s easier to feel your way through an issue.
January 21st, 2010 - 16:26
On RJ’s behalf, I would recommend The Everlasting Man, Orthodoxy, What’s Wrong With the World, and any of his collections of essays or weekly articles for the Illustrated London Times. And Heretics is worth a re-read.
January 21st, 2010 - 21:06
Thanks Carney. I agree. I would just say that Heretics and Orthodoxy are the two must-reads, and probably should be read before any other of Chesterton’s titles. What’s Wrong With The World would be a next step. Everlasting Man is great, but intense and I would suggest holding off on that one at first.
Thanks for the posts guys. Glad to see some GK-related chatter on AVITW.