Friday, August 29, 2008

G.K. Chesterton Back To School Quote of the Day

"... during the period of what is commonly called education; that is, the period during which I was being instructed by somebody I did not know, about something I did not want to know."

- The Autobiography of G.K. Chesterton

3 comments:

Kate Lord Brown said...

Dan - as the resident GKC expert can you tell me did he really say 'to be heavy is easy, to be light is hard?' I've thought of using it a couple of times recently and something didn't sound quite right.

Unknown said...

Hi Kate -

I've never heard that particular quote, although it certainly sounds like him. He did say "Angels can fly because they take themselves lightly," which is a similar sentiment, I suppose.

Hmmm... I'll dig around a little and see what I can come up with.

Unknown said...

OK, a quick check revealed that indeed he did write "It is easy to be heavy: hard to be light." It's in one of my favorite books by GKC, the hilarious and insightful "Orthodoxy" (terrible title, very funny book).