--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is the decisive people who have become…" description: "\"It is the decisive people who have become civilised; it is the indecisive, otherwise called the higher sceptics, or the idealistic doubters, who have r..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e96/gilbert-k-chesterton-223_barbarians_it-is-the-decisive-people-who-have-becom_2283878.jpg" --- # It is the decisive people who have become civilised; it is… ![“It is the decisive people who have become civilised; it is the indecisive, otherwise called the higher sceptics, or the idealistic doubters, who have remained barbarians.” quote by Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e96/gilbert-k-chesterton-223_barbarians_it-is-the-decisive-people-who-have-becom_2283878.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e96/gilbert-k-chesterton-223_barbarians_it-is-the-decisive-people-who-have-becom_2283878.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e96/gilbert-k-chesterton-223_barbarians_it-is-the-decisive-people-who-have-becom_2283878.jpg) > “It is the decisive people who have become civilised; it is the indecisive, otherwise called the higher sceptics, or the idealistic doubters, who have remained barbarians.” [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-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. Civilized societies arise from decisive action; indecisive or overly skeptical people stay primitive. **In simple terms:** Decisiveness builds civilization, indecisiveness leaves us primitive. Key Takeaway Be decisive to progress. Themes civilization decisiveness skepticism progress human nature Mood reflective critical thoughtful Type philosophical observational When to use this quote - leadership decisions - policy making - personal goal setting - team management - public discourse Key Concepts philosophy social evolution psychology Questions to Reflect On - What decisions have you avoided? - How does caution benefit society? A Different Perspective Indecision can also foster caution and prevent reckless change. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Barbarians](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/barbarians/) [Civilised](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilised/) [Civilised Indecisive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilised-indecisive-5340160/) [Doubters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doubters/) [Higher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/higher/) [Higher Sceptics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/higher-sceptics-5340162/) [Idealistic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idealistic/) [Idealistic Doubters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idealistic-doubters-5340161/) [Indecisive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/indecisive/) [Indecisive Called](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/indecisive-called-5340163/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Sceptic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sceptic/) [Skeptic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/skeptic/) [Stupidity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stupidity/) ## Related quotes > [The sceptic ultimately undermines democracy (1) because he can see no significance in death and such things of a literal equality; (2) because he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/the-sceptic-ultimately-undermines-democracy-1-because-he-can-see-no/) [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) > [“...the conflicts made him an indecisive mediator - a man, as someone had once observed, who couldn't keep his feet out of the shit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-donaldson/the-conflicts-made-him-an-indecisive-mediator-a-man-as-someone-had/) [Stephen Donaldson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-donaldson/) > [Thats one of my problems is that there are so many songs to sing that I sort of get indecisive about what I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-elliott/thats-one-of-my-problems-is-that-there-are-so-many-songs-to-sing-that/) [Alison Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-elliott/) > [I'm much more indecisive and a people-pleaser than someone who's willing to step into the firing line.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lincoln/i-m-much-more-indecisive-and-a-people-pleaser-than-someone-who-s/) [Andrew Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lincoln/) > [“...Today the invisible hand seems confused and indecisive...Ideology and rhetoric increasingly guide policy decision, often bearing little relationship to factual reality. And the America…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-lawrence-otto/today-the-invisible-hand-seems-confused-and-indecisive-ideology-and/) [Shawn Lawrence Otto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-lawrence-otto/) > [Donald Trump is as decisive as anybody I've ever met. I just don't see him running around asking various people in his inner circle,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/donald-trump-is-as-decisive-as-anybody-i-ve-ever-met-i-just-don-t-see/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [“Do not stand before the fork in the road with indecisive decisions!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-s-mckinney/do-not-stand-before-the-fork-in-the-road-with-indecisive-decisions/) [Michael S. McKinney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-s-mckinney/) > [It is better to run the risk of being considered indecisive, better to be uncertain and not promise, than to promise and not fulfill.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oswald-chambers/it-is-better-to-run-the-risk-of-being-considered-indecisive-better-to/) [Oswald Chambers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oswald-chambers/) > [“Your loyalties are indecisive at best. You know what that makes you, big boy?’ ‘Definitely a Gemini.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-m-farrugia/your-loyalties-are-indecisive-at-best-you-know-what-that-makes-you/) [Nathan M. Farrugia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-m-farrugia/) > [When ordering lunch, the big executives are just as indecisive as the rest of us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-feather/when-ordering-lunch-the-big-executives-are-just-as-indecisive-as-the/) [William Feather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-feather/) > [In the Great War, there is no room for the faint-hearted, the cowardly. A criminal or an anarchist will be better conditioned than a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-serrano/in-the-great-war-there-is-no-room-for-the-faint-hearted-the-cowardly/) [Miguel Serrano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-serrano/) > [Once you have decided to move, never ponder over decision because indecisive attitude hurts your confidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anil-sinha/once-you-have-decided-to-move-never-ponder-over-decision-because/) [Anil Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anil-sinha/) > [No good neurotic finds it difficult to be both opinionated and indecisive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mignon-mclaughlin/no-good-neurotic-finds-it-difficult-to-be-both-opinionated-and/) [Mignon McLaughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mignon-mclaughlin/) > [ \[On being indecisive and changeable:\] On my gravestone I want inscribed: 'On the other hand, maybe I should have lived. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-walters/on-being-indecisive-and-changeable-on-my-gravestone-i-want-inscribed/) [Barbara Walters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-walters/) > [You will never be indecisive if you know your purpose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-holtz/you-will-never-be-indecisive-if-you-know-your-purpose/) [Lou Holtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-holtz/) ## More by Gilbert K. Chesterton > [The aim of good prose words is to mean what they say. The aim of good poetical words is to mean what they do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/the-aim-of-good-prose-words-is-to-mean-what-they-say-the-aim-of-good/) [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) > [Youth is always too serious, and just now it is too serious about frivolity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/youth-is-always-too-serious-and-just-now-it-is-too-serious-about/) [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) > [Tradition does not mean a dead town; it does not mean that the living are dead but that the dead are alive. It means…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/tradition-does-not-mean-a-dead-town-it-does-not-mean-that-the-living/) [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) > [It is shorter to state the things forbidden than the things permitted; precisely because most things are permitted and only a few things forbidden.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/it-is-shorter-to-state-the-things-forbidden-than-the-things-permitted/) [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) > [Everyone seems to assume that the unscrupulous parts of journalism will be the frivolous or jocular parts. This is against all ethical experience. Jokes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/everyone-seems-to-assume-that-the-unscrupulous-parts-of-journalism/) [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) > [For Scotland has a double dose of the poison called heredity; the sense of blood in the aristocrat, the sense of doom in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/for-scotland-has-a-double-dose-of-the-poison-called-heredity-the/) [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) > [Faith is always at a disadvantage; it is a perpetually defeated thing which survives all conquerors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/faith-is-always-at-a-disadvantage-it-is-a-perpetually-defeated-thing/) [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) > [A building is akin to dogma; it is insolent, like dogma. Whether or no it is permanent, it claims permanence, like a dogma. People…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/a-building-is-akin-to-dogma-it-is-insolent-like-dogma-whether-or-no/) [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) > [The triangle of truisms, of father, mother and child, cannot be destroyed; it can only destroy those civilizations which disregard it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/the-triangle-of-truisms-of-father-mother-and-child-cannot-be/) [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) > [Criticism is only words about words, and of what use are words about such words as these?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/criticism-is-only-words-about-words-and-of-what-use-are-words-about/) [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) > [What we suffer from today is humility in the wrong place...The old humility was a spur that prevented a man from stopping; not a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/what-we-suffer-from-today-is-humility-in-the-wrong-place-the-old/) [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) > [Plato was only a Bernard Shaw who unfortunately made his jokes in Greek.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/plato-was-only-a-bernard-shaw-who-unfortunately-made-his-jokes-in/) [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) > [The word good has many meanings...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/the-word-good-has-many-meanings/) [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) > [Music with dinner is an insult both to the cook and the violinist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/music-with-dinner-is-an-insult-both-to-the-cook-and-the-violinist/) [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) > [Eugenics asserts that all men must be so stupid that they cannot manage their own affairs; and also so clever that they can manage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/eugenics-asserts-that-all-men-must-be-so-stupid-that-they-cannot/) [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) [Explore all 868 Gilbert K. Chesterton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) ## More Barbarians quotes > [School curricula that ignore the arts produce highly educated Barbarians](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-albee/school-curricula-that-ignore-the-arts-produce-highly-educated/) [Edward Albee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-albee/) > [One simply cannot engage in barbarous action without becoming a barbarian, because one cannot defend human values by calculated and unprovoked violence without doing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-william-fulbright/one-simply-cannot-engage-in-barbarous-action-without-becoming-a/) [J. William Fulbright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-william-fulbright/) > [Fain would we remain barbarians, if our claim to civilization were to be based on the gruesome glory of war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/fain-would-we-remain-barbarians-if-our-claim-to-civilization-were-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The idea that war should be conducted within a moral framework may seem like a quaint medieval practice, but as speech separates humans from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-idea-that-war-should-be-conducted-within-a-moral-framework-may/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Is Islam a religion of peace? I'm sure for some of the practitioners, but it's been hijacked by people who have an ideology that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeb-bush/is-islam-a-religion-of-peace-i-m-sure-for-some-of-the-practitioners/) [Jeb Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeb-bush/) > [If you go back to the Conan the Barbarian series, I really liked that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-braugher/if-you-go-back-to-the-conan-the-barbarian-series-i-really-liked-that/) [Andre Braugher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-braugher/) > [America's critics can be heard everywhere. It is too much in love with money - worshipping the god of the marketplace, the golden calf.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-saatchi/america-s-critics-can-be-heard-everywhere-it-is-too-much-in-love-with/) [Maurice Saatchi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-saatchi/) > [I believe that every single human being is entitled to the protection of our laws, whether they can vote or not. Whether they can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/i-believe-that-every-single-human-being-is-entitled-to-the-protection/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [The waiter brought fresh-baked bread and cheese, a bottle of sparkling water for Annabeth, and a Coke with ice for me (because I’m a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/the-waiter-brought-fresh-baked-bread-and-cheese-a-bottle-of-sparkling/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [Why is she afraid?" he asked. "She's not Anjin-san. Just a little nervous. Please excuse her. 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