The average man votes below himself; he votes with half a mind or a hundredth part of one. A man ought to vote with the whole of himself, as he worships or gets married. A man ought to vote with his head and heart, his soul and stomach, his eye for faces and his ear for music; also (when sufficiently provoked) with his hands and feet. If he has ever seen a fine sunset, the crimson color of it should creep into his vote. The question is not so much whether only a minority of the electorate votes. The point is that only a minority of the voter votes.

Summary

This quote by G.K. Chesterton emphasizes the importance of genuine and wholehearted voting. Chesterton contends that many people approach voting superficially, without fully engaging their intellect or emotions in the decision-making process. He argues that an individual should vote with their entire being - with their head and heart, their deepest convictions, their aesthetic appreciation, and even their passions if necessary. The quote suggests that it is not only a problem if a minority of people participate in elections but rather if a minority of those who are eligible to vote truly cast their votes in a thoughtful and engaged manner.

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