Astonishing Quote by Gilbert K. Chesterton
![“We have not made cricket and football [soccer] professional because of any astonishing avarice or new vulgarity. We have made them professional because we would have them perfect. We have dedicated men to them as to some god of inhuman excellence. We care more for football than for the fun of…” quote by Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/750/gilbert-k-chesterton-223_astonishing_we-have-not-made-cricket-and-football-so_1109457.jpg)
“We have not made cricket and football [soccer] professional because of any astonishing avarice or new vulgarity. We have made them professional because we would have them perfect. We have dedicated men to them as to some god of inhuman excellence. We care more for football than for the fun of playing football.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The Man Who Was Thursday", 1908
Critiques the over‑professionalization of sport, turning it into a worship of perfection rather than play.
In simple terms: Sports become too serious, losing fun.
Key Takeaway
Balance competition with enjoyment.
Themes
sports
professionalism
culture
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- coaching
- sports administration
- fan culture
Key Concepts
commercialization
excellence
playfulness
Questions to Reflect On
- What aspects of sport should stay playful?
- How can we preserve joy in competition?
A Different Perspective
Excessive focus on perfection can alienate participants.
![“Science only means knowledge; and for [Greek] ancients it did only mean knowledge. Thus the favorite science of the Greeks was Astronomy, because it was as abstract as Algebra. ... We may say that the great Greek ideal was to have no use for useful things. The Slave was he who learned useful…” quote by Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/afb/gilbert-k-chesterton-223_abstract_science-only-means-knowledge-and-for-gre_734948.jpg)
