Adventure Quote by G.K. Chesterton
““When the Professor is told by the Polynesian that once there was nothing except a great feathered serpent, unless the learned man feels a thrill and a half temptation to wish it were true, he is no judge of such things at all. When he is assured, on the best Red Indian authority, that a primitive hero carried the sun and moon and stars in a box, unless he clasps his hands and almost kicks his legs as a child would at such a charming fancy, he knows nothing about the matter.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Man Who Was Thursday by G.K. Chesterton, 1908
The scholar dismisses myth unless it excites him personally, revealing that intellectual judgment can be swayed by emotional fascination.
In simple terms: Scholars ignore myths unless they find them thrilling.
Key Takeaway
Recognize personal bias in evaluating ideas.
Themes
skepticism
myth
emotion
intellectual humility
bias
Mood
reflective
critical
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- academic research
- cultural studies
- teaching
- public discourse
Key Concepts
epistemology
cognitive bias
mythology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do personal feelings shape your assessment of new ideas?
- Can you separate fascination from factual judgment?
A Different Perspective
Emotional appeal may cloud objective analysis.
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