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Much of our modern difficulty, in religion and other things, arises merely from this: that we confuse the word 'indefinable' with the word 'vague.' If some one speaks of a spiritual fact as 'indefinable' we promptly picture something misty, a cloud with indeterminate edges. But this is an error even in commonplace logic. The thing that cannot be defined is the first thing; the primary fact. It is our arms and legs, our pots and pans, that are indefinable. The indefinable is the indisputable. The man next door is indefinable, because he is too actual to be defined. And there are some to whom spiritual things have the same fierce and practical proximity; some to whom God is too actual to be defined.

Gilbert Keith Chesterton#104

LogicSpiritualityRealitySpiritual

About this quote

What does it mean?
Confusing indefinable with vague leads to misunderstanding; the indefinable is often the most actual and indisputable reality.
In plain terms
Things that can't be defined aren't vague; they are real and solid.
What can you take from it?
Distinguish between vague and truly indefinable things.

Where it applies

  • philosophical debate
  • spiritual discussion
  • logical reasoning

Putting it to work

  • clarify definitions
  • accept mystery
  • analyze logic

Questions to consider

  • Is something indefinable or just vague?
  • How do you define the undefined?

Another view

Not all indefinable things are indisputable; some are just unclear.

More from Gilbert Keith Chesterton

  1. 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
  2. Whatever the word 'great' means, Dickens was what it means.

    Permalink to quote #105
  3. 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 tha…

    Permalink to quote #102

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