Quotable Chesterton

I think G. K. Chesterton is one of the most quotable authors of the 19-20th century.  I wish that I knew the spiritual state of Chesterton, for his writing is much like his life, full of paradox.  Chesterton was formally accepted by the Catholic religion toward the end of his life, but much of what he writes is of general “Christian” substance.  I would not trust Chesterton for theology or doctrine as he was no doubt highly Romish, but how he writes with wit and perception undoubtedly has influenced Christian as well as secular thought.  I thought I would print a few GKc quotes to ponder today.

“Religious liberty might be supposed to mean that everybody is free to discuss religion. In practice it means that hardly anybody is allowed to mention it.” Autobiography 1937

“Brave men are all vertebrates; they have their softness on the surface and their toughness in the middle.”

“Diplomacy is the art of saying “Nice doggie” until you can find a rock.”

“The Bible tells us to love our neighbors, and also to love our enemies; probably because generally they are the same people.” ILN,7/16/1910

“Christianity has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and not tried.” What’s Wrong with the World, chapter 5, 1910

“I regard golf as an expensive way of playing marbles.”

There are many more quotes and whether he was a true follower of Christ or not, there is depth and truth in a lot of what he says.  I encourage you to read a little bit of Chesterton.