K. Chesterton
K. Chesterton
leisure
Leisure is being allowed to do nothing.
process aim organisms
Vigorous organisms talk not about their processes, but about their aims.
brain theology
Theology is simply that part of religion that requires brains.
christian believe order
The Christian is quite free to believe that there is a considerable amount of settled order and inevitable development in the universe. But the materialist is not allowed to admit into his spotless machine the slightest speck of spiritualism or miracle.
laughter inspiration pride
Laughter has something in it common with the ancient words of faith and inspiration; it unfreezes pride and unwinds secrecy; it makes people forget themselves in the presence of something greater than themselves.
intelligent thinking going-away
[Consider] a fence or gate erected across a road] The more modern type of reformer goes gaily up to it and says, "I don't see the use of this; let us clear it away." To which the more intelligent type of reformer will do well to answer: "If you don't see the use of it, I certainly won't let you clear it away. Go away and think. Then, when you can come back and tell me that you do see the use of it, I may allow you to destroy it."
practice religion may
I may not practice what I preach but God forbid I should preach what I practice
science technology firsts
The thing that cannot be defined is the first thing; the primary fact.
spiritual definitions coincidence
Coincidence is a spiritual pun.
names proud poor
And we were angry and poor and happy, And proud of seeing our names in print.
children fairy-stories dragons
The objection to fairy stories is that they tell children there are dragons. But children have always known there are dragons. Fairy stories tell children that dragons can be killed.
science law america
Science is the study of the admitted laws of existence, which cannot prove a universal negative about whether those laws could ever be suspended by something admittedly above them. It is as if we were to say that a lawyer was so deeply learned in the American Constitution that he knew there could never be a revolution in America..
stars distance science
Science boasts of the distance of its stars; of the terrific remoteness of the things of which it has to speak. But poetry and religion always insist upon the proximity, the almost menacing closeness of the things with which they are concerned. Always the Kingdom of Heaven is "At Hand."
player mad chess
Poets do not go mad, but chess players do.