There are two ways of dealing with nonsense in this world. One way is to put nonsense in the right place; as when people put nonsense into nursery rhymes. The other is to put nonsense in the wrong place; as when they put it into educational addresses, psychological criticisms, and complaints against nursery rhymes or other normal amusements of mankind.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Nonsense belongs in nursery rhymes but not in serious education or complaints.
- In plain terms
- Put nonsense in games not in serious talks.
- What can you take from it?
- Context determines if nonsense is acceptable.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Where does nonsense fit?
- Why is context key?
Another view
Sometimes nonsense challenges serious thinking effectively.
More from Gilbert Keith Chesterton
It is terrible to contemplate how few politicians are hanged.
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Permalink to quote #35 When a politician is in opposition he is an expert on the means to some end; and when he is in office he is an expert on the obstacles to it.
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