--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In the matter of reforming things, as…" description: "\"“In the matter of reforming things, as distinct from deforming them, there is one plain and simple principle; a principle which will probably be called..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e08/g-k-chesterton-224_fence_in-the-matter-of-reforming-things-as-dis_2759371.jpg" --- # In the matter of reforming things, as distinct from… ![“In the matter of reforming things, as distinct from deforming them, there is one plain and simple principle; a principle which will probably be called a paradox. There exists in such a case a certain institution or law; let us say, for the sake of simplicity, a fence or gate erected across a road…” quote by G.K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e08/g-k-chesterton-224_fence_in-the-matter-of-reforming-things-as-dis_2759371.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e08/g-k-chesterton-224_fence_in-the-matter-of-reforming-things-as-dis_2759371.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e08/g-k-chesterton-224_fence_in-the-matter-of-reforming-things-as-dis_2759371.jpg) > ““In the matter of reforming things, as distinct from deforming them, there is one plain and simple principle; a principle which will probably be called a paradox. There exists in such a case a certain institution or law; let us say, for the sake of simplicity, a fence or gate erected across a road. The more modern type of reformer goes gaily up to it and says, "I don't see the use of this; let us clear it away." To which the more intelligent type of reformer will do well to answer: "If you don't see the use of it, I certainly won't let you clear it away. Go away and think. Then, when you can come back and tell me that you do see the use of it, I may allow you to destroy it." This paradox rests on the most elementary common sense. The gate or fence did not grow there. It was not set up by somnambulists who built it in their sleep. It is highly improbable that it was put there by escaped lunatics who were for some reason loose in the street. Some person had some reason for thinking it would be a good thing for somebody. And until we know what the reason was, we really cannot judge whether the reason was reasonable. It is extremely probable that we have overlooked some whole aspect of the question, if something set up by human beings like ourselves seems to be entirely meaningless and mysterious. There are reformers who get over this difficulty by assuming that all their fathers were fools; but if that be so, we can only say that folly appears to be a hereditary disease. But the truth is that nobody has any business to destroy a social institution until he has really seen it as an historical institution. If he knows how it arose, and what purposes it was supposed to serve, he may really be able to say that they were bad purposes, that they have since become bad purposes, or that they are purposes which are no longer served. But if he simply stares at the thing as a senseless monstrosity that has somehow sprung up in his path, it is he and not the traditionalist who is suffering from an illusion.”” [G.K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-k-chesterton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Reforming requires understanding an institution's original purpose before discarding it; blind destruction ignores hidden value. **In simple terms:** Know why something exists before removing it. Key Takeaway Study history, then decide. Themes reform history critical thinking tradition change Mood thoughtful cautious analytical Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - policy making - urban planning - organizational change - legal reform - cultural preservation Key Concepts institutional analysis paradox contextual understanding Questions to Reflect On - What purpose might the gate serve that we overlook? - How can we balance innovation with respect for tradition? A Different Perspective Blind removal can cause unintended harm if the original purpose is misunderstood. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowledge/) [Paradox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paradox/) [Reform](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reform/) ## Related quotes > [ \[Consider\] a fence or gate erected across a road\] The more modern type of reformer goes gaily up to it and says, "I don't… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/consider-a-fence-or-gate-erected-across-a-road-the-more-modern-type/) [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) > [“There exists in such a case a certain institution or law; let us say for the sake of simplicity, a fence or gate erected…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-k-chesterton/there-exists-in-such-a-case-a-certain-institution-or-law-let-us-say/) [G.K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-k-chesterton/) > [“I never use paradox. 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Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-k-chesterton/) [Explore all 853 G.K. Chesterton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-k-chesterton/) ## More Fence quotes > [ By profession a biologist, \[Thomas Henry Huxley\] covered in fact the whole field of the exact sciences, and then bulged through its four fences.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-mencken/by-profession-a-biologist-thomas-henry-huxley-covered-in-fact-the/) [H. L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-mencken/) > [My dreams were always small and puny. All I ever needed was a little house with a little picket fence by the sea. Little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/imelda-marcos/my-dreams-were-always-small-and-puny-all-i-ever-needed-was-a-little/) [Imelda Marcos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/imelda-marcos/) > [I have yet to see someone attack Obama over his report card. 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I was lucky that it had been a rail fence, rather…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keeble/i-ran-straight-into-the-wooden-fence-at-the-foot-of-the-field-i-was/) [Helen Keeble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keeble/) Browse all 673 Fence quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“In the matter of reforming things, as distinct from deforming them, there is one plain and simple principle; a principle which will probably be called a paradox. There exists in such a case a certain institution or law; let us say, for the sake of simplicity, a fence or gate erected across a road. The more modern type of reformer goes gaily up to it and says, \"I don't see the use of this; let us clear it away.\" To which the more intelligent type of reformer will do well to answer: \"If you don't see the use of it, I certainly won't let you clear it away. Go away and think. Then, when you can come back and tell me that you do see the use of it, I may allow you to destroy it.\" This paradox rests on the most elementary common sense. The gate or fence did not grow there. It was not set up by somnambulists who built it in their sleep. It is highly improbable that it was put there by escaped lunatics who were for some reason loose in the street. Some person had some reason for thinking it would be a good thing for somebody. And until we know what the reason was, we really cannot judge whether the reason was reasonable. It is extremely probable that we have overlooked some whole aspect of the question, if something set up by human beings like ourselves seems to be entirely meaningless and mysterious. There are reformers who get over this difficulty by assuming that all their fathers were fools; but if that be so, we can only say that folly appears to be a hereditary disease. But the truth is that nobody has any business to destroy a social institution until he has really seen it as an historical institution. If he knows how it arose, and what purposes it was supposed to serve, he may really be able to say that they were bad purposes, that they have since become bad purposes, or that they are purposes which are no longer served. But if he simply stares at the thing as a senseless monstrosity that has somehow sprung up in his path, it is he and not the traditionalist who is suffering from an illusion.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "G.K. 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