Quote by G. K. Chesterton
A building is akin to dogma; it is insolent, like dogma. Whether or no it is permanent, it claims permanence, like a dogma. People ask why we have no typical architecture of the modern world, like impressionism in painting. Surely it is obviously because we have not enough dogmas; we cannot bear to see anything in the sky that is solid and enduring, anything in the sky that does not change like the clouds of the sky.
Summary
This quote suggests that buildings, like dogmas, possess an unwavering and permanent quality. It argues that the lack of a distinctive architectural style in the modern world, comparable to impressionism in painting, is due to the absence of enough rigid principles or dogmas. The quote implies that people today prefer dynamic and ever-changing designs, akin to the shifting clouds in the sky, rather than enduring structures. It highlights a desire for architecture that reflects the fluidity and impermanence of the contemporary world.