|
|
|
Q.
Okay, I've heard this line quoted all the time: "Tradition is the
democracy of the dead. It means giving a vote to the most obscure
of all classes: our ancestors." It's a great line. Where does it come
from?
- Jerry
A.
It comes from Chesterton's book, Orthodoxy, Chapter 4, "The
Ethics of Elfland." And the line is usually quoted backwards, as you
have quoted it. It actually reads: "Tradition means giving a vote
to most obscure of all classes, our ancestors. It is the democracy
of the dead." Chesterton goes on to say: "Tradition refuses to submit
to the small and arrogant oligarchy of those who merely happen to
be walking about. All democrats object to men being disqualified by
the accident of birth; tradition objects to their being disqualified
by the accident of death. Democracy tells us not to neglect a good
man's opinion, even if he is our groom; tradition asks us not to neglect
a good man's opinion, even if he is our father."
- The "Quotemeister" |
Back to FAQ
©2000, The American Chesterton Society - all rights
reserved
|
