Fairy tale Quote by G.K. Chesterton
““There are some refusals which, though they may be done what is called conscientiously, yet carry so much of their whole horror in the very act of them, that a man must in doing them not only harden but slightly corrupt his heart. One of them was the refusal of milk to young mothers when their husbands were in the field against us. Another is the refusal of fairy tales to children.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The Ethics of Refusal", 1905
Some refusals, even if conscientious, carry deep moral horror, corrupting the heart.
In simple terms: Certain refusals are morally corrupting despite good intentions.
Key Takeaway
Question the moral impact of seemingly justified refusals.
Themes
ethics
morality
corruption
Mood
philosophical
critical
Type
ethical
reflective
When to use this quote
- parenting
- policy
- education
- media consumption
Key Concepts
conscientious objection
moral dilemmas
Questions to Reflect On
- When does a well‑intentioned refusal become immoral?
- How can we balance conscience with compassion?
A Different Perspective
Not all refusals are equally harmful; context matters.
