Q.
A child's instinct is almost perfect in the matter
of fighting. The child's hero is always the man or boy who suddenly
and splendidly defends himself against aggression.
I am a student of martial-arts and came across this excellent quotation
that gets to the heart of the ethics of self-defense. I would appreciate
it if you could tell me the context in which this quotation appeared
and if you could refer me to any other Chesterton writings or quotations
that relate to the ethics of self-defense. Many thanks.
- Norman
A.
This quotation is to be found in Chesterton's Illustrated London
News essay of October 20, 1906. Originally untitled, it was
given the name "Boyhood and Militarism; Literature and Science" in
The Collected Works (see volume 27).
The best Chestertonian defense of self-defense may be found in
volume 29 of The Collected Works, in two originally
untitled essays now named "Christmas and Disarmament" (January 14,
1911) and "The Causes of War" (January 28, 1911).
- The "Quotemeister"
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