Whatever else we may say of our own age, for good or evil, nobody is likely to call it an Age of Reason.

It is shorter to state the things forbidden than the things permitted; precisely because most things are permitted and only a few things forbidden.

The Party System was founded on one national notion of fair play. It was the notion that folly and futility should be fairly divided between both sides.

No sceptical philosopher can ask any questions that may not equally be asked by a tired child on a hot afternoon.

The only defensible war is a war of defense.

We are always giving foreign names to very native things. If there is a thing that reeks of the glorious tradition of the old English tavern, it is toasted cheese. But for some wild reason we call it Welsh rarebit. I believe that what we call Irish stew might more properly be called English stew, and that it is not particularly familiar in Ireland.

Idolatry is committed, not merely by setting up false gods, but also by setting up false devils; by making men afraid of war or alcohol, or economic law, when they should be afraid of spiritual corruption and cowardice.