Top 143 Quotes by Gilbert K. Chesterton

The fatal metaphor of progress, which means leaving things behind us, has utterly obscured the real idea of growth, which means leaving things inside us.

There is a great deal of difference between an eager man who wants to read a book and the tired man who wants a book to read.

The only defensible war is a war of defense.

Compromise used to mean that half a loaf was better than no bread. Among modern statesmen it really seems to mean that half a loaf; is better than a whole loaf.

You can never have a revolution in order to establish a democracy. You must have a democracy in order to have a revolution.

The Bible tells us to love our neighbors, and also to love our enemies; probably because generally they are the same people.

In matters of truth the fact that you don't want to publish something is, nine times out of ten, a proof that you ought to publish it.

And they that rule in England, in stately conclaves met, alas, alas for England they have no graves as yet.

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.

Drink because you are happy, but never because you are miserable.