G. K. Chesterton, from Quotes

A collection of quotes by G. K. Chesterton, from.

G. K. Chesterton (1874-1936) was an influential English writer and philosopher best known for his works of fiction, essays, and literary criticism. He was a strong advocate of orthodox Christianity and is admired for his unique wit and thought-provoking writing style. Chesterton's works, including "The Man Who Was Thursday" and "Orthodoxy", often explore themes of faith, society, and morality. He was a prolific writer, contributing to various newspapers and journals, and his literary achievements continue to be widely celebrated. His profound insights and engaging prose have left a lasting impact on the field of literature.

A new morality has burst upon us with some violence in connection with the problem of strong drink; and enthusiasts in the matter range from the man who is violently thrown out at 12.30, to the lady who smashes American bars with an axe. In these discussions it is almost always felt that one very wise and moderate position is to say that wine or such stuff should only be drunk as a medicine. With this I should venture to disagree with a peculiar ferocity. The one genuinely dangerous and immoral way of drinking wine is to drink it as a medicine. And for this reason: If a man drinks wine in order to obtain pleasure, he is trying to obtain something exceptional; something he does not expect every hour of the day; something which, unless he is a little insane, he will not try to get every hour of the day. But if a man drinks wine in order to obtain health, he is trying to get something natural; something, that is, that he ought not to be without; something that he may find it difficult to reconcile himself to being without. The man may not be seduced who has seen the ecstasy of being ecstatic; it is more dazzling to catch a glimpse of the ecstasy of being ordinary.

G. K. Chesterton, from

Drinking