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Let us, at least, dig and seek till we have discovered our own opinions. The dogmas we really hold are far more fantastic, and, perhaps, far more beautiful than we think. In the course of these essays I fear that I have spoken from time to time of rationalists and rationalism, and that in a disparaging sense. Being full of that kindliness which should come at the end of everything, even of a book, I apologize to the rationalists even for calling them rationalists. There are no rationalists. We all believe fairy-tales, and live in them. Some, with a sumptuous literary turn, believe in the existence of the lady clothed with the sun. Some, with a more rustic, elvish instinct, like Mr. McCabe, believe merely in the impossible sun itself. Some hold the undemonstrable dogma of the existence of God; some the equally undemonstrable dogma of the existence of the man next door.

Gilbert Keith Chesterton#102

TruthBeliefDogma

About this quote

What does it mean?
Everyone believes in fairy-tales or dogmas; even rationalists believe in unprovable things like the sun or God.
In plain terms
We all believe in things we cannot prove; even rationalists have faith.
What can you take from it?
Accept that everyone lives by some unprovable beliefs.

Where it applies

  • philosophical debate
  • self-awareness
  • intellectual honesty

Putting it to work

  • examine beliefs
  • accept myths
  • understand rationalists

Questions to consider

  • What unprovable things do you believe?
  • Are you truly rational?

Another view

Some claims are factual, not just unprovable dogmas.

More from Gilbert Keith Chesterton

  1. Because we are not in a civilization which believes strongly in oracles or sacred places, we see the full frenzy of those who killed themselves to find the sep…

    Permalink to quote #101
  2. Truths turn into dogmas the instant that they are disputed. Thus every man who utters a doubt defines a religion. And the scepticism of our time does not reall…

    Permalink to quote #103
  3. The modern world is filled with men who hold dogmas so strongly that they do not even know that they are dogmas. It may be said even that the modern world, as …

    Permalink to quote #100

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