Isn't it absolutely essential to keep a fierce Left and fierce Right, both on their toes and each terrified of the other? That's how we get things done.

No one returns from Christianity to the same state he was before Christianity but into a worse state: the difference between a pagan and an apostate is the difference between an unmarried woman and an adulteress. For faith perfects nature but faith lost corrupts nature. Therefore many men of our time have lost not only the supernatural light but also the natural light which pagans possessed.

People who know a lot of the same things can hardly help talking about them.

Cobbles and kettledrums! ...I hope this madness isn't going to end in a moonlit climb and broken necks.

Giving to the poor is an essential part of Christian morality.

Notice how we are perpetually surprised at Time. ('How time flies! Fancy John being grown-up and married! I can hardly believe it!') In heavens name, why? Unless, indeed, there is something in us which is not temporal.

Oh, Adam’s sons, how cleverly you defend yourselves against all that might do you good!