...on this Sunday, words stumbled upon while looking for something else, and which remind me of the purpose of this place:
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, logically 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."St. Gilbert, from Heretics
Comments (7)
I remember once reading a book by GK Chesterton with the same name as this blog. Is this just a coincidence?
Posted by Joseph Gryniewicz | May 6, 2007 12:49 AM
A bullseye of an observation, Bill. I don't like tattoos, but if I ever had to tattoo something on my forehead this quotation is a good candidate.
Posted by Jeff Culbreath | May 6, 2007 1:26 PM
No coincidence, Mr. Gryniewicz. That's where the title comes from.
My apologies, Jeff. It's Chesterton's observation. I forgot initially to attach his name to the quote. It is now repaired. This kind of thing, according to my wife, happens with greater frequency these days.
Posted by William Luse | May 6, 2007 1:44 PM
Great quote, Bill!
I especially like the part about education.
Posted by Lydia | May 6, 2007 1:49 PM
Everyone knows that Chesterton was a marvelous stylist and rhetorician, but it is overlooked what a genius of logical insight and philosophic imagination he possessed. Hugh Kenner captured this in referring to his great "metaphysical intuition of being" and argued he ought to be thought of almost as a Doctor of the Church.
How St. Gilbert would roar with laughter at such praise! though I believe it quite just.
Posted by Paul J Cella | May 6, 2007 6:45 PM
I think Belloc would agree with you.
Posted by William Luse | May 7, 2007 2:25 AM
No doubt he would.
Belloc was no slouch of a writer and historian himself.
Posted by Paul J Cella | May 7, 2007 10:06 AM