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Falling in love Quote by G.K. Chesterton

“This is the first principle of democracy: that the essential things in men are the things they hold in common, not the things they hold separately. And the second principle is merely this: that the political instinct or desire is one of these things which they hold in common. Falling in love is…” quote by G.K. Chesterton
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““This is the first principle of democracy: that the essential things in men are the things they hold in common, not the things they hold separately. And the second principle is merely this: that the political instinct or desire is one of these things which they hold in common. Falling in love is more poetical than dropping into poetry. The democratic contention is that government ... is a thing like falling in love, and not a thing like dropping into poetry. It is not something analogous to playing the church organ, painting on vellum,..., being Astronomer Royal, and so on. For these things we do not wish a man to do at all unless he does them well. It is, on the contrary, a thing analogous to writing one's own love-letters or blowing one's own nose. These things we want a man to do for himself, even if he does them badly. … In short, the democratic faith is this: that the most terribly important things must be left to ordinary men themselves--the mating of the sexes, the rearing of the young, the laws of the state. This is democracy; and in this I have always believed. ””

G.K. Chesterton

About This Quote

Source Essay: "Democracy" in The Outline of Sanity, 1915

Democracy works best when ordinary people handle fundamental life tasks rather than specialists.

In simple terms: Ordinary people should manage basic life matters.

Key Takeaway

Trust everyday people with essential duties.

Themes

democracy equality responsibility human nature

Mood

thoughtful critical

Type

philosophical political

When to use this quote

  • parenting
  • community decision‑making
  • local governance
  • public services

Key Concepts

political philosophy social contract common good

Questions to Reflect On

  • Who decides which tasks truly need expertise?
  • How can we balance expertise with popular involvement?
A Different Perspective

Specialists may outperform laypeople in complex technical fields.

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