Books Quote by G.K. Chesterton
““The human race, to which so many of my readers belong, has been playing at children's games from the beginning, and will probably do it till the end, which is a nuisance for the few people who grow up. And one of the games to which it is most attached is called "Keep to-morrow dark," and which is also named (by the rustics in Shropshire, I have no doubt) "Cheat the Prophet." The players listen very carefully and respectfully to all that the clever men have to say about what is to happen in the next generation. The players then wait until all the clever men are dead, and bury them nicely. They then go and do something else. That is all. For a race of simple tastes, however, it is great fun.””
About This Quote
Humanity clings to predictable, comforting narratives about the future, treating prophecy as a game that can be ignored once the authority behind it dies.
In simple terms: People treat future predictions as a childish pastime.
Key Takeaway
We often dismiss serious foresight once its proponents are gone.
Themes
skepticism
human nature
future
authority
folklore
nihilism
Mood
wry
cynical
reflective
Type
aphorism
satire
social commentary
When to use this quote
- political discourse
- religious prophecy
- scientific forecasting
- media punditry
- personal life planning
Key Concepts
prophecy
cultural rituals
intellectual complacency
Practical Applications
- critical analysis of futurist claims
- designing resilient strategies
Questions to Reflect On
- What happens when we stop listening to experts?
- How does the game of prediction affect societal progress?
![“[There are] games children must conjure up to combat an awful fact of childhood: the fact of their vulnerability to fear, anger, hate and frustration - all the emotions that are an ordinary part of their lives and that they can perceive only as as ungovernable and dangerous forces. To master these…” quote by Maurice Sendak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7d4/maurice-sendak-1273_anger-hate_there-are-games-children-must-conjure-up_1784362.jpg)
