GK Chesterton - The Common Man

Very few people ever
state properly the strong argument in favour of marrying for love
or against marrying for money. The argument is not that all lovers
are heroes and heroines, nor is it that all dukes are profligates
or all millionaires cads. The argument is this, that the differences
between a man and a woman are at the best so obstinate and
exasperating that they practically cannot be got over unless there
is an atmosphere of exaggerated tenderness and mutual interest.
To put the matter in one metaphor, the sexes are two stubborn pieces
of iron; if they are to be welded together, it must be while they are
red-hot. Every woman has to find out that her husband is a selfish beast,
because every man is a selfish beast by the standard of a woman.
But let her find out the beast while they are both still in the story
of "Beauty and the Beast". Every man has to find out that his wife
is cross--that is to say, sensitive to the point of madness:
for every woman is mad by the masculine standard. But let him find
out that she is mad while her madness is more worth considering
than anyone else's sanity.

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[thallassocracy]

Chesterton delayed marrying his fiancée - Frances Blogg - until 1901. He was already 27 - a fairly advanced age for a man to marry in those days. There is a strong tradition that his weight and general unfitness prevented the marriage from every being consummated.

Chesterton had problems relating to women:- much as he had problems relating to Jews, Germans, Arabs, Negroes, Indians ....

His delight in revelling in his bigotries has made him something of a saint for the inadequate.

[plukethep]

@thallassocracy Thanks for commenting. Chesterton famously wrote an article against votes for women. And without doubt he was subject to the prejudices of the time, as most people are, Gandhi included. This, however, doesn't detract from the universal message contained in many of his most important works, this quote included. If you are commenting against this video please make it clear, if it is a general comment, linking to some sources would be very informative.

[AstroScorp1]

You are missing a word friend. You said 'practicality' where it says 'practically'.

[plukethep]

Sadly I'm not too good at reading from script and I don't really do the great man justice. A little more practice is needed.

[sanjchiro]

Poor reading-more practice definitely required. But bravo for posting..

[bobwaits]

Slow down...this is very badly read.

[TheWizzooo]

@plukethep

But thank you so much for the effort. I love anything Chesterton!

[amkaen]

Word up! An apt word, aptly spoken.

[AstroScorp1]

Just say the right words brother.  Just say the right words.

Yours in Christ,

A

[brniccarvalho]

Hahaha! Chesterton is hilarious, and so right!