“But all conservatism is based upon the idea that if you leave things alone you leave them as they are. But you do not. If you leave a thing alone you leave it to a torrent of change. If you leave a white post alone it will soon be a black post. If you particularly want it to be white you must be always painting it again; that is, you must be always having a revolution.” – G. K. Chesterton, Orthodoxy, 1908

In other words, as Jesse Sumpter explains: “The world is always changing. People grow old and things fall apart. True conservatives must be vigilant and active because there is a standard which we are aiming for and we cannot reach that standard trying to maintain the status quo.”

True conservatism is radically active. It knows that liberty can be lost in a generation. True conservatism does hail back to the “good old days” but it keeps them dusted off, repainted, and repaired. It is constantly vigilant. And where a line of defense goes awry, it is quick to re-form the line.

Come To Think Of It, G. K. Chesterton

FAILURES WHO SUCCEED

Lincoln’s Birthday “It is recognized that Lincoln emerged from the lower grades of law and politics through an atmosphere in … Continue reading FAILURES WHO SUCCEED

Come To Think Of It, G. K. Chesterton

Long before we can change it…

In 1930, six years before his death, Chesterton wrote of his long association with the Illustrated London News that “the … Continue reading Long before we can change it…

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