Divorce versus Democracy

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Christianity, Christian Literature, Christian Life
Cover of the book Divorce versus Democracy by G. K. Chesterton, CrossReach Publications
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: G. K. Chesterton ISBN: 1230001945263
Publisher: CrossReach Publications Publication: September 30, 2017
Imprint: Language: English
Author: G. K. Chesterton
ISBN: 1230001945263
Publisher: CrossReach Publications
Publication: September 30, 2017
Imprint:
Language: English

On this question of divorce I do not profess to be impartial, for I have never perceived any intelligent meaning in the word. I merely (and most modestly) profess to be right. I also profess to be representative: that is, democratic. Now, one may believe in democracy or disbelieve in it. It would be grossly unfair to conceal the fact that there are difficulties on both sides. The difficulty of believing in democracy is that it is so hard to believe—like God and most other good things. The difficulty of disbelieving in democracy is that there is nothing else to believe in. I mean there is nothing else on earth or in earthly politics. Unless an aristocracy is selected by gods, it must be selected by men. It may be negatively and passively permitted, but either heaven or humanity must permit it; otherwise it has no more moral authority than a lucky pickpocket. It is baby talk to talk about “Supermen” or “Nature’s Aristocracy” or “The Wise Few.” “The Wise Few” must be either those whom others think wise—who are often fools; or those who think themselves wise—who are always fools.
Well, if one happens to believe in democracy as I do, as a large trust in the active and passive judgment of the human conscience, one can have no hesitation, no “impartiality,” about one’s view of divorce; and especially about one’s view of the extension of divorce among the democracy. A democrat in any sense must regard that extension as the last and vilest of the insults offered by the modern rich to the modern poor. The rich do largely believe in divorce; the poor do mainly believe in fidelity. But the modern rich are powerful and the modern poor are powerless. Therefore for years and decades past the rich have been preaching their own virtues. Now that they have begun to preach their vices too, I think it is time to kick.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

On this question of divorce I do not profess to be impartial, for I have never perceived any intelligent meaning in the word. I merely (and most modestly) profess to be right. I also profess to be representative: that is, democratic. Now, one may believe in democracy or disbelieve in it. It would be grossly unfair to conceal the fact that there are difficulties on both sides. The difficulty of believing in democracy is that it is so hard to believe—like God and most other good things. The difficulty of disbelieving in democracy is that there is nothing else to believe in. I mean there is nothing else on earth or in earthly politics. Unless an aristocracy is selected by gods, it must be selected by men. It may be negatively and passively permitted, but either heaven or humanity must permit it; otherwise it has no more moral authority than a lucky pickpocket. It is baby talk to talk about “Supermen” or “Nature’s Aristocracy” or “The Wise Few.” “The Wise Few” must be either those whom others think wise—who are often fools; or those who think themselves wise—who are always fools.
Well, if one happens to believe in democracy as I do, as a large trust in the active and passive judgment of the human conscience, one can have no hesitation, no “impartiality,” about one’s view of divorce; and especially about one’s view of the extension of divorce among the democracy. A democrat in any sense must regard that extension as the last and vilest of the insults offered by the modern rich to the modern poor. The rich do largely believe in divorce; the poor do mainly believe in fidelity. But the modern rich are powerful and the modern poor are powerless. Therefore for years and decades past the rich have been preaching their own virtues. Now that they have begun to preach their vices too, I think it is time to kick.

More books from CrossReach Publications

Cover of the book The Mission of the Holy Spirit by G. K. Chesterton
Cover of the book Life Words from Gospel Addresses by G. K. Chesterton
Cover of the book The Unchanging Christ by G. K. Chesterton
Cover of the book The Bible in Five Years by G. K. Chesterton
Cover of the book The Peaceful Kingdom of Christ by G. K. Chesterton
Cover of the book A Biblia Sagrada by G. K. Chesterton
Cover of the book The Fighting Sailor Turn'd Peaceable Christian by G. K. Chesterton
Cover of the book A Glance at the History and Mystery of Christadelphianism by G. K. Chesterton
Cover of the book Forgotten Truths by G. K. Chesterton
Cover of the book Glad Tidings by G. K. Chesterton
Cover of the book The Time of the End by G. K. Chesterton
Cover of the book Evidence for the Resurrection by G. K. Chesterton
Cover of the book Charles Taze Russell by G. K. Chesterton
Cover of the book Holiness by G. K. Chesterton
Cover of the book Sermon on Alms by G. K. Chesterton
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy