G. K. Chesterton: Doing

G. K. Chesterton was English mystery novelist and Christian apologist. Explore interesting quotes on doing.

G. K. Chesterton: 458 quotes19 likes

“To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it.”

A Short History of England (1917)

“I do not believe in a fate that falls on men however they act; but I do believe in a fate that falls on them unless they act.”

G. K. Chesterton

Illustrated London News (29 April 1922)

“If you convey to a woman that something ought to be done, there is always a dreadful danger that she will suddenly do it.”

G. K. Chesterton book The Secret of Father Brown

The Secret of Father Brown (1927) The Song of the Flying Fish
The Father Brown Mystery Series (1910 - 1927)

“If you know what a man's doing, get in front of him; but if you want to guess what he's doing keep behind him.”

G. K. Chesterton book The Innocence of Father Brown

The Innocence of Father Brown (1911) The Blue Cross
The Father Brown Mystery Series (1910 - 1927)

“You have no business to be an unbeliever. You ought to stand for all the things these stupid people call superstitions. Come now, don't you think there's a lot in those old wives' tales about luck and charms and so on, silver bullets included? What do you say about them as a Catholic?'
'I say I'm an agnostic,' replied Father Brown, smiling.
'Nonsense,' said Aylmer impatiently. 'It's your business to believe things.”

G. K. Chesterton

'Well, I do believe some things, of course,' conceded Father Brown; 'and therefore, of course, I don't believe other things.' .
The Dagger with Wings (1926)

“…If ever I murdered somebody," he added quite simply, "I dare say it might be an Optimist."
"Why?" cried Merton amused. "Do you think people dislike cheerfulness?”

G. K. Chesterton book The Innocence of Father Brown

"People like frequent laughter," answered Father Brown, "but I don't think they like a permanent smile. Cheerfulness without humour is a very trying thing."
The Innocence of Father Brown (1911) The Three Tools of Death
The Father Brown Mystery Series (1910 - 1927)

“If a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing badly.”

G. K. Chesterton

Folly and Female Education
What's Wrong With The World (1910)