PREFACE
　　Thisbookismeanttobeacompanionto"Heretics，"andtoputthepositivesideinadditiontothenegative。Manycriticscomplainedofthebookcalled"Heretics"becauseitmerelycriticisedcurrentphilosophieswithoutofferinganyalternativephilosophy。
　　Thisbookisanattempttoanswerthechallenge。Itisunavoidablyaffirmativeandthereforeunavoidablyautobiographical。ThewriterhasbeendrivenbackuponsomewhatthesamedifficultyasthatwhichbesetNewmaninwritinghisApologia；hehasbeenforcedtobeegotisticalonlyinordertobesincere。Whileeverythingelsemaybedifferentthemotiveinbothcasesisthesame。Itisthepurposeofthewritertoattemptanexplanation，notofwhethertheChristianFaithcanbebelieved，butofhowhepersonallyhascometobelieveit。
　　Thebookisthereforearrangeduponthepositiveprincipleofariddleanditsanswer。Itdealsfirstwithallthewriter’sownsolitaryandsincerespeculationsandthenwithallthestartlingstyleinwhichtheywereallsuddenlysatisfiedbytheChristianTheology。
　　Thewriterregardsitasamountingtoaconvincingcreed。Butifitisnotthatitisatleastarepeatedandsurprisingcoincidence。
　　GilbertK。Chesterton。
　　CONTENTS
　　I。IntroductioninDefenceofEverythingElseII。TheManiacIII。TheSuicideofThoughtIV。TheEthicsofElflandV。TheFlagoftheWorldVI。TheParadoxesofChristianityVII。TheEternalRevolutionVIII。TheRomanceofOrthodoxyIX。AuthorityandtheAdventurerORTHODOXY
　　IINTRODUCTIONINDEFENCEOFEVERYTHINGELSE
　　THEonlypossibleexcuseforthisbookisthatitisananswertoachallenge。Evenabadshotisdignifiedwhenheacceptsaduel。
　　WhensometimeagoIpublishedaseriesofhastybutsincerepapers，underthenameof"Heretics，"severalcriticsforwhoseintellectIhaveawarmrespect（ImaymentionspeciallyMr。G。S。Street）
　　saidthatitwasallverywellformetotelleverybodytoaffirmhiscosmictheory，butthatIhadcarefullyavoidedsupportingmypreceptswithexample。"Iwillbegintoworryaboutmyphilosophy，"
　　saidMr。Street，"whenMr。Chestertonhasgivenushis。"
　　Itwasperhapsanincautioussuggestiontomaketoapersononlytooreadytowritebooksuponthefeeblestprovocation。
　　Butafterall，thoughMr。Streethasinspiredandcreatedthisbook，heneednotreadit。Ifhedoesreadit，hewillfindthatinitspagesIhaveattemptedinavagueandpersonalway，inasetofmentalpicturesratherthaninaseriesofdeductions，tostatethephilosophyinwhichIhavecometobelieve。Iwillnotcallitmyphilosophy；forIdidnotmakeit。Godandhumanitymadeit；
　　anditmademe。
　　IhaveoftenhadafancyforwritingaromanceaboutanEnglishyachtsmanwhoslightlymiscalculatedhiscourseanddiscoveredEnglandundertheimpressionthatitwasanewislandintheSouthSeas。
　　Ialwaysfind，however，thatIameithertoobusyortoolazytowritethisfinework，soImayaswellgiveitawayforthepurposesofphilosophicalillustration。Therewillprobablybeageneralimpressionthatthemanwholanded（armedtotheteethandtalkingbysigns）toplanttheBritishflagonthatbarbarictemplewhichturnedouttobethePavilionatBrighton，feltratherafool。
　　Iamnothereconcernedtodenythathelookedafool。Butifyouimaginethathefeltafool，oratanyratethatthesenseoffollywashissoleorhisdominantemotion，thenyouhavenotstudiedwithsufficientdelicacytherichromanticnatureoftheheroofthistale。Hismistakewasreallyamostenviablemistake；
　　andheknewit，ifhewasthemanItakehimfor。Whatcouldbemoredelightfulthantohaveinthesamefewminutesallthefascinatingterrorsofgoingabroadcombinedwithallthehumanesecurityofcominghomeagain？WhatcouldbebetterthantohaveallthefunofdiscoveringSouthAfricawithoutthedisgustingnecessityoflandingthere？Whatcouldbemoregloriousthantobraceone’sselfuptodiscoverNewSouthWalesandthenrealize，withagushofhappytears，thatitwasreallyoldSouthWales。
　　Thisatleastseemstomethemainproblemforphilosophers，andisinamannerthemainproblemofthisbook。Howcanwecontrivetobeatonceastonishedattheworldandyetathomeinit？
　　Howcanthisqueercosmictown，withitsmany-leggedcitizens，withitsmonstrousandancientlamps，howcanthisworldgiveusatoncethefascinationofastrangetownandthecomfortandhonourofbeingourowntown？
　　Toshowthatafaithoraphilosophyistruefromeverystandpointwouldbetoobiganundertakingevenforamuchbiggerbookthanthis；itisnecessarytofollowonepathofargument；
　　andthisisthepaththatIhereproposetofollow。Iwishtosetforthmyfaithasparticularlyansweringthisdoublespiritualneed，theneedforthatmixtureofthefamiliarandtheunfamiliarwhichChristendomhasrightlynamedromance。Fortheveryword"romance"hasinitthemysteryandancientmeaningofRome。
　　Anyonesettingouttodisputeanythingoughtalwaystobeginbysayingwhathedoesnotdispute。Beyondstatingwhatheproposestoproveheshouldalwaysstatewhathedoesnotproposetoprove。
　　ThethingIdonotproposetoprove，thethingIproposetotakeascommongroundbetweenmyselfandanyaveragereader，isthisdesirabilityofanactiveandimaginativelife，picturesqueandfullofapoeticalcuriosity，alifesuchaswesternmanatanyratealwaysseemstohavedesired。Ifamansaysthatextinctionisbetterthanexistenceorblankexistencebetterthanvarietyandadventure，thenheisnotoneoftheordinarypeopletowhomIamtalking。
　　IfamanprefersnothingIcangivehimnothing。ButnearlyallpeopleIhaveevermetinthiswesternsocietyinwhichIlivewouldagreetothegeneralpropositionthatweneedthislifeofpracticalromance；thecombinationofsomethingthatisstrangewithsomethingthatissecure。Weneedsotoviewtheworldastocombineanideaofwonderandanideaofwelcome。Weneedtobehappyinthiswonderlandwithoutoncebeingmerelycomfortable。
　　ItisTHISachievementofmycreedthatIshallchieflypursueinthesepages。
　　ButIhaveapeculiarreasonformentioningthemaninayacht，whodiscoveredEngland。ForIamthatmaninayacht。
　　IdiscoveredEngland。Idonotseehowthisbookcanavoidbeingegotistical；andIdonotquitesee（totellthetruth）
　　howitcanavoidbeingdull。Dulnesswill，however，freemefromthechargewhichImostlament；thechargeofbeingflippant。
　　MerelightsophistryisthethingthatIhappentodespisemostofallthings，anditisperhapsawholesomefactthatthisisthethingofwhichIamgenerallyaccused。Iknownothingsocontemptibleasamereparadox；amereingeniousdefenceoftheindefensible。
　　Ifitweretrue（ashasbeensaid）thatMr。BernardShawliveduponparadox，thenheoughttobeamerecommonmillionaire；
　　foramanofhismentalactivitycouldinventasophistryeverysixminutes。Itisaseasyaslying；becauseitislying。
　　Thetruthis，ofcourse，thatMr。Shawiscruellyhamperedbythefactthathecannottellanylieunlesshethinksitisthetruth。
　　Ifindmyselfunderthesameintolerablebondage。IneverinmylifesaidanythingmerelybecauseIthoughtitfunny；thoughofcourse，Ihavehadordinaryhumanvainglory，andmayhavethoughtitfunnybecauseIhadsaidit。Itisonethingtodescribeaninterviewwithagorgonoragriffin，acreaturewhodoesnotexist。
　　Itisanotherthingtodiscoverthattherhinocerosdoesexistandthentakepleasureinthefactthathelooksasifhedidn’t。
　　Onesearchesfortruth，butitmaybethatonepursuesinstinctivelythemoreextraordinarytruths。AndIofferthisbookwiththeheartiestsentimentstoallthejollypeoplewhohatewhatIwrite，andregardit（veryjustly，forallIknow），asapieceofpoorclowningorasingletiresomejoke。
　　Forifthisbookisajokeitisajokeagainstme。
　　Iamthemanwhowiththeutmostdaringdiscoveredwhathadbeendiscoveredbefore。Ifthereisanelementoffarceinwhatfollows，thefarceisatmyownexpense；forthisbookexplainshowIfanciedI
　　wasthefirsttosetfootinBrightonandthenfoundIwasthelast。
　　Itrecountsmyelephantineadventuresinpursuitoftheobvious。
　　NoonecanthinkmycasemoreludicrousthanIthinkitmyself；
　　noreadercanaccusemehereoftryingtomakeafoolofhim：
　　Iamthefoolofthisstory，andnorebelshallhurlmefrommythrone。Ifreelyconfessalltheidioticambitionsoftheendofthenineteenthcentury。Idid，likeallothersolemnlittleboys，trytobeinadvanceoftheage。LikethemItriedtobesometenminutesinadvanceofthetruth。AndIfoundthatIwaseighteenhundredyearsbehindit。Ididstrainmyvoicewithapainfullyjuvenileexaggerationinutteringmytruths。AndIwaspunishedinthefittestandfunniestway，forIhavekeptmytruths：
　　butIhavediscovered，notthattheywerenottruths，butsimplythattheywerenotmine。WhenIfanciedthatIstoodaloneIwasreallyintheridiculouspositionofbeingbackedupbyallChristendom。
　　Itmaybe，Heavenforgiveme，thatIdidtrytobeoriginal；
　　butIonlysucceededininventingallbymyselfaninferiorcopyoftheexistingtraditionsofcivilizedreligion。ThemanfromtheyachtthoughthewasthefirsttofindEngland；IthoughtIwasthefirsttofindEurope。Ididtrytofoundaheresyofmyown；
　　andwhenIhadputthelasttouchestoit，Idiscoveredthatitwasorthodoxy。
　　Itmaybethatsomebodywillbeentertainedbytheaccountofthishappyfiasco。ItmightamuseafriendoranenemytoreadhowIgraduallylearntfromthetruthofsomestraylegendorfromthefalsehoodofsomedominantphilosophy，thingsthatI
　　mighthavelearntfrommycatechism——ifIhadeverlearntit。
　　TheremayormaynotbesomeentertainmentinreadinghowI
　　foundatlastinananarchistcluboraBabyloniantemplewhatI
　　mighthavefoundinthenearestparishchurch。Ifanyoneisentertainedbylearninghowtheflowersofthefieldorthephrasesinanomnibus，theaccidentsofpoliticsorthepainsofyouthcametogetherinacertainordertoproduceacertainconvictionofChristianorthodoxy，hemaypossiblyreadthisbook。
　　Butthereisineverythingareasonabledivisionoflabour。
　　Ihavewrittenthebook，andnothingonearthwouldinducemetoreadit。
　　Iaddonepurelypedanticnotewhichcomes，asanotenaturallyshould，atthebeginningofthebook。TheseessaysareconcernedonlytodiscusstheactualfactthatthecentralChristiantheology（sufficientlysummarizedintheApostles’Creed）isthebestrootofenergyandsoundethics。Theyarenotintendedtodiscusstheveryfascinatingbutquitedifferentquestionofwhatisthepresentseatofauthorityfortheproclamationofthatcreed。Whentheword"orthodoxy"isusedhereitmeanstheApostles’Creed，asunderstoodbyeverybodycallinghimselfChristianuntilaveryshorttimeagoandthegeneralhistoricconductofthosewhoheldsuchacreed。IhavebeenforcedbymerespacetoconfinemyselftowhatIhavegotfromthiscreed；
　　IdonottouchthemattermuchdisputedamongmodernChristians，ofwhereweourselvesgotit。Thisisnotanecclesiasticaltreatisebutasortofslovenlyautobiography。Butifanyonewantsmyopinionsabouttheactualnatureoftheauthority，Mr。G。S。Streethasonlytothrowmeanotherchallenge，andIwillwritehimanotherbook。
　　IITHEMANIAC
　　Thoroughlyworldlypeopleneverunderstandeventheworld；
　　theyrelyaltogetheronafewcynicalmaximswhicharenottrue。
　　OnceIrememberwalkingwithaprosperouspublisher，whomadearemarkwhichIhadoftenheardbefore；itis，indeed，almostamottoofthemodernworld。YetIhadhearditoncetoooften，andIsawsuddenlythattherewasnothinginit。Thepublishersaidofsomebody，"Thatmanwillgeton；hebelievesinhimself。"
　　AndIrememberthatasIliftedmyheadtolisten，myeyecaughtanomnibusonwhichwaswritten"Hanwell。"Isaidtohim，"ShallItellyouwherethemenarewhobelievemostinthemselves？
　　ForIcantellyou。IknowofmenwhobelieveinthemselvesmorecolossallythanNapoleonorCaesar。Iknowwhereflamesthefixedstarofcertaintyandsuccess。IcanguideyoutothethronesoftheSuper-men。Themenwhoreallybelieveinthemselvesareallinlunaticasylums。"Hesaidmildlythattherewereagoodmanymenafterallwhobelievedinthemselvesandwhowerenotinlunaticasylums。
　　"Yes，thereare，"Iretorted，"andyouofallmenoughttoknowthem。
　　Thatdrunkenpoetfromwhomyouwouldnottakeadrearytragedy，hebelievedinhimself。Thatelderlyministerwithanepicfromwhomyouwerehidinginabackroom，hebelievedinhimself。
　　Ifyouconsultedyourbusinessexperienceinsteadofyouruglyindividualisticphilosophy，youwouldknowthatbelievinginhimselfisoneofthecommonestsignsofarotter。Actorswhocan’tactbelieveinthemselves；anddebtorswhowon’tpay。Itwouldbemuchtruertosaythatamanwillcertainlyfail，becausehebelievesinhimself。Completeself-confidenceisnotmerelyasin；
　　completeself-confidenceisaweakness。Believingutterlyinone’sselfisahystericalandsuperstitiousbelieflikebelievinginJoannaSouthcote：themanwhohasithas`Hanwell’writtenonhisfaceasplainasitiswrittenonthatomnibus。"Andtoallthismyfriendthepublishermadethisverydeepandeffectivereply，"Well，ifamanisnottobelieveinhimself，inwhatishetobelieve？"
　　AfteralongpauseIreplied，"Iwillgohomeandwriteabookinanswertothatquestion。"ThisisthebookthatIhavewritteninanswertoit。
　　ButIthinkthisbookmaywellstartwhereourargumentstarted——
　　intheneighbourhoodofthemad-house。Modernmastersofsciencearemuchimpressedwiththeneedofbeginningallinquirywithafact。
　　Theancientmastersofreligionwerequiteequallyimpressedwiththatnecessity。Theybeganwiththefactofsin——afactaspracticalaspotatoes。Whetherornomancouldbewashedinmiraculouswaters，therewasnodoubtatanyratethathewantedwashing。
　　ButcertainreligiousleadersinLondon，notmerematerialists，havebeguninourdaynottodenythehighlydisputablewater，buttodenytheindisputabledirt。Certainnewtheologiansdisputeoriginalsin，whichistheonlypartofChristiantheologywhichcanreallybeproved。SomefollowersoftheReverendR。J。Campbell，intheiralmosttoofastidiousspirituality，admitdivinesinlessness，whichtheycannotseeevenintheirdreams。Buttheyessentiallydenyhumansin，whichtheycanseeinthestreet。Thestrongestsaintsandthestrongestscepticsaliketookpositiveevilasthestarting-pointoftheirargument。Ifitbetrue（asitcertainlyis）
　　thatamancanfeelexquisitehappinessinskinningacat，thenthereligiousphilosophercanonlydrawoneoftwodeductions。
　　HemusteitherdenytheexistenceofGod，asallatheistsdo；orhemustdenythepresentunionbetweenGodandman，asallChristiansdo。
　　Thenewtheologiansseemtothinkitahighlyrationalisticsolutiontodenythecat。
　　Inthisremarkablesituationitisplainlynotnowpossible（withanyhopeofauniversalappeal）tostart，asourfathersdid，withthefactofsin。Thisveryfactwhichwastothem（andistome）
　　asplainasapikestaff，istheveryfactthathasbeenspeciallydilutedordenied。Butthoughmodernsdenytheexistenceofsin，Idonotthinkthattheyhaveyetdeniedtheexistenceofalunaticasylum。Weallagreestillthatthereisacollapseoftheintellectasunmistakableasafallinghouse。Mendenyhell，butnot，asyet，Hanwell。Forthepurposeofourprimaryargumenttheonemayverywellstandwheretheotherstood。Imeanthatasallthoughtsandtheorieswereoncejudgedbywhethertheytendedtomakeamanlosehissoul，soforourpresentpurposeallmodernthoughtsandtheoriesmaybejudgedbywhethertheytendtomakeamanlosehiswits。
　　Itistruethatsomespeaklightlyandlooselyofinsanityasinitselfattractive。Butamoment’sthoughtwillshowthatifdiseaseisbeautiful，itisgenerallysomeoneelse’sdisease。
　　Ablindmanmaybepicturesque；butitrequirestwoeyestoseethepicture。Andsimilarlyeventhewildestpoetryofinsanitycanonlybeenjoyedbythesane。Totheinsanemanhisinsanityisquiteprosaic，becauseitisquitetrue。Amanwhothinkshimselfachickenistohimselfasordinaryasachicken。Amanwhothinksheisabitofglassistohimselfasdullasabitofglass。
　　Itisthehomogeneityofhismindwhichmakeshimdull，andwhichmakeshimmad。Itisonlybecauseweseetheironyofhisideathatwethinkhimevenamusing；itisonlybecausehedoesnotseetheironyofhisideathatheisputinHanwellatall。Inshort，odditiesonlystrikeordinarypeople。Odditiesdonotstrikeoddpeople。Thisiswhyordinarypeoplehaveamuchmoreexcitingtime；
　　whileoddpeoplearealwayscomplainingofthedulnessoflife。
　　Thisisalsowhythenewnovelsdiesoquickly，andwhytheoldfairytalesendureforever。Theoldfairytalemakestheheroanormalhumanboy；itishisadventuresthatarestartling；
　　theystartlehimbecauseheisnormal。Butinthemodernpsychologicalnoveltheheroisabnormal；thecentreisnotcentral。
　　Hencethefiercestadventuresfailtoaffecthimadequately，andthebookismonotonous。Youcanmakeastoryoutofaheroamongdragons；butnotoutofadragonamongdragons。Thefairytalediscusseswhatasanemanwilldoinamadworld。Thesoberrealisticnovelofto-daydiscusseswhatanessentiallunaticwilldoinadullworld。
　　Letusbegin，then，withthemad-house；fromthisevilandfantasticinnletussetforthonourintellectualjourney。Now，ifwearetoglanceatthephilosophyofsanity，thefirstthingtodointhematteristoblotoutonebigandcommonmistake。Thereisanotionadrifteverywherethatimagination，especiallymysticalimagination，isdangeroustoman’smentalbalance。Poetsarecommonlyspokenofaspsychologicallyunreliable；andgenerallythereisavagueassociationbetweenwreathinglaurelsinyourhairandstickingstrawsinit。
　　Factsandhistoryutterlycontradictthisview。Mostoftheverygreatpoetshavebeennotonlysane，butextremelybusiness-like；
　　andifShakespeareeverreallyheldhorses，itwasbecausehewasmuchthesafestmantoholdthem。Imaginationdoesnotbreedinsanity。
　　Exactlywhatdoesbreedinsanityisreason。Poetsdonotgomad；
　　butchess-playersdo。Mathematiciansgomad，andcashiers；
　　butcreativeartistsveryseldom。Iamnot，aswillbeseen，inanysenseattackinglogic：Ionlysaythatthisdangerdoeslieinlogic，notinimagination。Artisticpaternityisaswholesomeasphysicalpaternity。Moreover，itisworthyofremarkthatwhenapoetreallywasmorbiditwascommonlybecausehehadsomeweakspotofrationalityonhisbrain。Poe，forinstance，reallywasmorbid；notbecausehewaspoetical，butbecausehewasspeciallyanalytical。Evenchesswastoopoeticalforhim；
　　hedislikedchessbecauseitwasfullofknightsandcastles，likeapoem。Heavowedlypreferredtheblackdiscsofdraughts，becausetheyweremorelikethemereblackdotsonadiagram。
　　Perhapsthestrongestcaseofallisthis：thatonlyonegreatEnglishpoetwentmad，Cowper。Andhewasdefinitelydrivenmadbylogic，bytheuglyandalienlogicofpredestination。Poetrywasnotthedisease，butthemedicine；poetrypartlykepthiminhealth。
　　HecouldsometimesforgettheredandthirstyhelltowhichhishideousnecessitarianismdraggedhimamongthewidewatersandthewhiteflatliliesoftheOuse。HewasdamnedbyJohnCalvin；
　　hewasalmostsavedbyJohnGilpin。Everywhereweseethatmendonotgomadbydreaming。Criticsaremuchmadderthanpoets。
　　Homeriscompleteandcalmenough；itishiscriticswhotearhimintoextravaganttatters。Shakespeareisquitehimself；itisonlysomeofhiscriticswhohavediscoveredthathewassomebodyelse。
　　AndthoughSt。JohntheEvangelistsawmanystrangemonstersinhisvision，hesawnocreaturesowildasoneofhisowncommentators。
　　Thegeneralfactissimple。Poetryissanebecauseitfloatseasilyinaninfinitesea；reasonseekstocrosstheinfinitesea，andsomakeitfinite。Theresultismentalexhaustion，likethephysicalexhaustionofMr。Holbein。Toaccepteverythingisanexercise，tounderstandeverythingastrain。Thepoetonlydesiresexaltationandexpansion，aworldtostretchhimselfin。
　　Thepoetonlyaskstogethisheadintotheheavens。Itisthelogicianwhoseekstogettheheavensintohishead。Anditishisheadthatsplits。
　　Itisasmallmatter，butnotirrelevant，thatthisstrikingmistakeiscommonlysupportedbyastrikingmisquotation。WehaveallheardpeoplecitethecelebratedlineofDrydenas"Greatgeniusistomadnessnearallied。"ButDrydendidnotsaythatgreatgeniuswastomadnessnearallied。Drydenwasagreatgeniushimself，andknewbetter。Itwouldhavebeenhardtofindamanmoreromanticthanhe，ormoresensible。WhatDrydensaidwasthis，"Greatwitsareofttomadnessnearallied"；andthatistrue。Itisthepurepromptitudeoftheintellectthatisinperilofabreakdown。
　　AlsopeoplemightrememberofwhatsortofmanDrydenwastalking。
　　HewasnottalkingofanyunworldlyvisionarylikeVaughanorGeorgeHerbert。Hewastalkingofacynicalmanoftheworld，asceptic，adiplomatist，agreatpracticalpolitician。Suchmenareindeedtomadnessnearallied。Theirincessantcalculationoftheirownbrainsandotherpeople’sbrainsisadangeroustrade。
　　Itisalwaysperiloustothemindtoreckonupthemind。Aflippantpersonhasaskedwhywesay，"Asmadasahatter。"Amoreflippantpersonmightanswerthatahatterismadbecausehehastomeasurethehumanhead。
　　Andifgreatreasonersareoftenmaniacal，itisequallytruethatmaniacsarecommonlygreatreasoners。WhenIwasengagedinacontroversywiththeCLARIONonthematteroffreewill，thatablewriterMr。R。B。Sutherssaidthatfreewillwaslunacy，becauseitmeantcauselessactions，andtheactionsofalunaticwouldbecauseless。Idonotdwellhereuponthedisastrouslapseindeterministlogic。Obviouslyifanyactions，evenalunatic’s，canbecauseless，determinismisdonefor。Ifthechainofcausationcanbebrokenforamadman，itcanbebrokenforaman。
　　Butmypurposeistopointoutsomethingmorepractical。
　　Itwasnatural，perhaps，thatamodernMarxianSocialistshouldnotknowanythingaboutfreewill。ButitwascertainlyremarkablethatamodernMarxianSocialistshouldnotknowanythingaboutlunatics。
　　Mr。Suthersevidentlydidnotknowanythingaboutlunatics。
　　Thelastthingthatcanbesaidofalunaticisthathisactionsarecauseless。Ifanyhumanactsmaylooselybecalledcauseless，theyaretheminoractsofahealthyman；whistlingashewalks；
　　slashingthegrasswithastick；kickinghisheelsorrubbinghishands。Itisthehappymanwhodoestheuselessthings；
　　thesickmanisnotstrongenoughtobeidle。Itisexactlysuchcarelessandcauselessactionsthatthemadmancouldneverunderstand；
　　forthemadman（likethedeterminist）generallyseestoomuchcauseineverything。Themadmanwouldreadaconspiratorialsignificanceintothoseemptyactivities。Hewouldthinkthattheloppingofthegrasswasanattackonprivateproperty。Hewouldthinkthatthekickingoftheheelswasasignaltoanaccomplice。
　　Ifthemadmancouldforaninstantbecomecareless，hewouldbecomesane。Everyonewhohashadthemisfortunetotalkwithpeopleintheheartorontheedgeofmentaldisorder，knowsthattheirmostsinisterqualityisahorribleclarityofdetail；aconnectingofonethingwithanotherinamapmoreelaboratethanamaze。
　　Ifyouarguewithamadman，itisextremelyprobablethatyouwillgettheworstofit；forinmanywayshismindmovesallthequickerfornotbeingdelayedbythethingsthatgowithgoodjudgment。
　　Heisnothamperedbyasenseofhumourorbycharity，orbythedumbcertaintiesofexperience。Heisthemorelogicalforlosingcertainsaneaffections。Indeed，thecommonphraseforinsanityisinthisrespectamisleadingone。Themadmanisnotthemanwhohaslosthisreason。Themadmanisthemanwhohaslosteverythingexcepthisreason。
　　Themadman’sexplanationofathingisalwayscomplete，andofteninapurelyrationalsensesatisfactory。Or，tospeakmorestrictly，theinsaneexplanation，ifnotconclusive，isatleastunanswerable；
　　thismaybeobservedspeciallyinthetwoorthreecommonestkindsofmadness。Ifamansays（forinstance）thatmenhaveaconspiracyagainsthim，youcannotdisputeitexceptbysayingthatallthemendenythattheyareconspirators；whichisexactlywhatconspiratorswoulddo。Hisexplanationcoversthefactsasmuchasyours。
　　OrifamansaysthatheistherightfulKingofEngland，itisnocompleteanswertosaythattheexistingauthoritiescallhimmad；
　　forifhewereKingofEnglandthatmightbethewisestthingfortheexistingauthoritiestodo。OrifamansaysthatheisJesusChrist，itisnoanswertotellhimthattheworlddenieshisdivinity；
　　fortheworlddeniedChrist’s。
　　Neverthelessheiswrong。Butifweattempttotracehiserrorinexactterms，weshallnotfinditquitesoeasyaswehadsupposed。
　　Perhapsthenearestwecangettoexpressingitistosaythis：
　　thathismindmovesinaperfectbutnarrowcircle。Asmallcircleisquiteasinfiniteasalargecircle；but，thoughitisquiteasinfinite，itisnotsolarge。Inthesamewaytheinsaneexplanationisquiteascompleteasthesaneone，butitisnotsolarge。
　　Abulletisquiteasroundastheworld，butitisnottheworld。
　　Thereissuchathingasanarrowuniversality；thereissuchathingasasmallandcrampedeternity；youmayseeitinmanymodernreligions。Now，speakingquiteexternallyandempirically，wemaysaythatthestrongestandmostunmistakableMARKofmadnessisthiscombinationbetweenalogicalcompletenessandaspiritualcontraction。Thelunatic’stheoryexplainsalargenumberofthings，butitdoesnotexplaintheminalargeway。ImeanthatifyouorIweredealingwithamindthatwasgrowingmorbid，weshouldbechieflyconcernednotsomuchtogiveitargumentsastogiveitair，toconvinceitthattherewassomethingcleanerandcooleroutsidethesuffocationofasingleargument。Suppose，forinstance，itwerethefirstcasethatItookastypical；supposeitwerethecaseofamanwhoaccusedeverybodyofconspiringagainsthim。
　　Ifwecouldexpressourdeepestfeelingsofprotestandappealagainstthisobsession，Isupposeweshouldsaysomethinglikethis：
　　"Oh，Iadmitthatyouhaveyourcaseandhaveitbyheart，andthatmanythingsdofitintootherthingsasyousay。Iadmitthatyourexplanationexplainsagreatdeal；butwhatagreatdealitleavesout！Aretherenootherstoriesintheworldexceptyours；
　　andareallmenbusywithyourbusiness？Supposewegrantthedetails；
　　perhapswhenthemaninthestreetdidnotseemtoseeyouitwasonlyhiscunning；perhapswhenthepolicemanaskedyouyournameitwasonlybecauseheknewitalready。Buthowmuchhappieryouwouldbeifyouonlyknewthatthesepeoplecarednothingaboutyou！
　　Howmuchlargeryourlifewouldbeifyourselfcouldbecomesmallerinit；ifyoucouldreallylookatothermenwithcommoncuriosityandpleasure；ifyoucouldseethemwalkingastheyareintheirsunnyselfishnessandtheirvirileindifference！Youwouldbegintobeinterestedinthem，becausetheywerenotinterestedinyou。
　　Youwouldbreakoutofthistinyandtawdrytheatreinwhichyourownlittleplotisalwaysbeingplayed，andyouwouldfindyourselfunderafreersky，inastreetfullofsplendidstrangers。"
　　Orsupposeitwerethesecondcaseofmadness，thatofamanwhoclaimsthecrown，yourimpulsewouldbetoanswer，"Allright！
　　PerhapsyouknowthatyouaretheKingofEngland；butwhydoyoucare？
　　Makeonemagnificenteffortandyouwillbeahumanbeingandlookdownonallthekingsoftheearth。"Oritmightbethethirdcase，ofthemadmanwhocalledhimselfChrist。Ifwesaidwhatwefelt，weshouldsay，"SoyouaretheCreatorandRedeemeroftheworld：
　　butwhatasmallworlditmustbe！Whatalittleheavenyoumustinhabit，withangelsnobiggerthanbutterflies！HowsaditmustbetobeGod；
　　andaninadequateGod！Istherereallynolifefullerandnolovemoremarvellousthanyours；andisitreallyinyoursmallandpainfulpitythatallfleshmustputitsfaith？Howmuchhappieryouwouldbe，howmuchmoreofyoutherewouldbe，ifthehammerofahigherGodcouldsmashyoursmallcosmos，scatteringthestarslikespangles，andleaveyouintheopen，freelikeothermentolookupaswellasdown！"
　　Anditmustberememberedthatthemostpurelypracticalsciencedoestakethisviewofmentalevil；itdoesnotseektoarguewithitlikeaheresybutsimplytosnapitlikeaspell。Neithermodernsciencenorancientreligionbelievesincompletefreethought。
　　Theologyrebukescertainthoughtsbycallingthemblasphemous。
　　Sciencerebukescertainthoughtsbycallingthemmorbid。Forexample，somereligioussocietiesdiscouragedmenmoreorlessfromthinkingaboutsex。Thenewscientificsocietydefinitelydiscouragesmenfromthinkingaboutdeath；itisafact，butitisconsideredamorbidfact。
　　Andindealingwiththosewhosemorbidityhasatouchofmania，modernsciencecaresfarlessforpurelogicthanadancingDervish。
　　Inthesecasesitisnotenoughthattheunhappymanshoulddesiretruth；
　　hemustdesirehealth。Nothingcansavehimbutablindhungerfornormality，likethatofabeast。Amancannotthinkhimselfoutofmentalevil；foritisactuallytheorganofthoughtthathasbecomediseased，ungovernable，and，asitwere，independent。Hecanonlybesavedbywillorfaith。Themomenthismerereasonmoves，itmovesintheoldcircularrut；hewillgoroundandroundhislogicalcircle，justasamaninathird-classcarriageontheInnerCirclewillgoroundandroundtheInnerCircleunlessheperformsthevoluntary，vigorous，andmysticalactofgettingoutatGowerStreet。
　　Decisionisthewholebusinesshere；adoormustbeshutforever。
　　Everyremedyisadesperateremedy。Everycureisamiraculouscure。
　　Curingamadmanisnotarguingwithaphilosopher；itiscastingoutadevil。Andhoweverquietlydoctorsandpsychologistsmaygotoworkinthematter，theirattitudeisprofoundlyintolerant——
　　asintolerantasBloodyMary。Theirattitudeisreallythis：
　　thatthemanmuststopthinking，ifheistogoonliving。
　　Theircounselisoneofintellectualamputation。IfthyHEAD
　　offendthee，cutitoff；foritisbetter，notmerelytoentertheKingdomofHeavenasachild，buttoenteritasanimbecile，ratherthanwithyourwholeintellecttobecastintohell——
　　orintoHanwell。
　　Suchisthemadmanofexperience；heiscommonlyareasoner，frequentlyasuccessfulreasoner。Doubtlesshecouldbevanquishedinmerereason，andthecaseagainsthimputlogically。Butitcanbeputmuchmorepreciselyinmoregeneralandevenaestheticterms。
　　Heisinthecleanandwell-litprisonofoneidea：heissharpenedtoonepainfulpoint。Heiswithouthealthyhesitationandhealthycomplexity。Now，asIexplainintheintroduction，Ihavedeterminedintheseearlychapterstogivenotsomuchadiagramofadoctrineassomepicturesofapointofview。AndI
　　havedescribedatlengthmyvisionofthemaniacforthisreason：
　　thatjustasIamaffectedbythemaniac，soIamaffectedbymostmodernthinkers。ThatunmistakablemoodornotethatIhearfromHanwell，Ihearalsofromhalfthechairsofscienceandseatsoflearningto-day；andmostofthemaddoctorsaremaddoctorsinmoresensesthanone。Theyallhaveexactlythatcombinationwehavenoted：thecombinationofanexpansiveandexhaustivereasonwithacontractedcommonsense。Theyareuniversalonlyinthesensethattheytakeonethinexplanationandcarryitveryfar。
　　Butapatterncanstretchforeverandstillbeasmallpattern。
　　Theyseeachess-boardwhiteonblack，andiftheuniverseispavedwithit，itisstillwhiteonblack。Likethelunatic，theycannotaltertheirstandpoint；theycannotmakeamentaleffortandsuddenlyseeitblackonwhite。
　　Takefirstthemoreobviouscaseofmaterialism。Asanexplanationoftheworld，materialismhasasortofinsanesimplicity。Ithasjustthequalityofthemadman’sargument；wehaveatoncethesenseofitcoveringeverythingandthesenseofitleavingeverythingout。
　　Contemplatesomeableandsincerematerialist，as，forinstance，Mr。McCabe，andyouwillhaveexactlythisuniquesensation。
　　Heunderstandseverything，andeverythingdoesnotseemworthunderstanding。Hiscosmosmaybecompleteineveryrivetandcog-wheel，butstillhiscosmosissmallerthanourworld。
　　Somehowhisscheme，likethelucidschemeofthemadman，seemsunconsciousofthealienenergiesandthelargeindifferenceoftheearth；
　　itisnotthinkingoftherealthingsoftheearth，offightingpeoplesorproudmothers，orfirstloveorfearuponthesea。
　　Theearthissoverylarge，andthecosmosissoverysmall。
　　Thecosmosisaboutthesmallestholethatamancanhidehisheadin。
　　ItmustbeunderstoodthatIamnotnowdiscussingtherelationofthesecreedstotruth；but，forthepresent，solelytheirrelationtohealth。LaterintheargumentIhopetoattackthequestionofobjectiveverity；hereIspeakonlyofaphenomenonofpsychology。
　　IdonotforthepresentattempttoprovetoHaeckelthatmaterialismisuntrue，anymorethanIattemptedtoprovetothemanwhothoughthewasChristthathewaslabouringunderanerror。Imerelyremarkhereonthefactthatbothcaseshavethesamekindofcompletenessandthesamekindofincompleteness。Youcanexplainaman’sdetentionatHanwellbyanindifferentpublicbysayingthatitisthecrucifixionofagodofwhomtheworldisnotworthy。
　　Theexplanationdoesexplain。Similarlyyoumayexplaintheorderintheuniversebysayingthatallthings，eventhesoulsofmen，areleavesinevitablyunfoldingonanutterlyunconscioustree——
　　theblinddestinyofmatter。Theexplanationdoesexplain，thoughnot，ofcourse，socompletelyasthemadman’s。Butthepointhereisthatthenormalhumanmindnotonlyobjectstoboth，butfeelstoboththesameobjection。ItsapproximatestatementisthatifthemaninHanwellistherealGod，heisnotmuchofagod。And，similarly，ifthecosmosofthematerialististherealcosmos，itisnotmuchofacosmos。Thethinghasshrunk。
　　Thedeityislessdivinethanmanymen；and（accordingtoHaeckel）
　　thewholeoflifeissomethingmuchmoregrey，narrow，andtrivialthanmanyseparateaspectsofit。Thepartsseemgreaterthanthewhole。
　　Forwemustrememberthatthematerialistphilosophy（whethertrueornot）iscertainlymuchmorelimitingthananyreligion。
　　Inonesense，ofcourse，allintelligentideasarenarrow。
　　Theycannotbebroaderthanthemselves。AChristianisonlyrestrictedinthesamesensethatanatheistisrestricted。
　　HecannotthinkChristianityfalseandcontinuetobeaChristian；
　　andtheatheistcannotthinkatheismfalseandcontinuetobeanatheist。Butasithappens，thereisaveryspecialsenseinwhichmaterialismhasmorerestrictionsthanspiritualism。
　　Mr。McCabethinksmeaslavebecauseIamnotallowedtobelieveindeterminism。IthinkMr。McCabeaslavebecauseheisnotallowedtobelieveinfairies。Butifweexaminethetwovetoesweshallseethathisisreallymuchmoreofapurevetothanmine。
　　TheChristianisquitefreetobelievethatthereisaconsiderableamountofsettledorderandinevitabledevelopmentintheuniverse。
　　Butthematerialistisnotallowedtoadmitintohisspotlessmachinetheslightestspeckofspiritualismormiracle。PoorMr。McCabeisnotallowedtoretaineventhetiniestimp，thoughitmightbehidinginapimpernel。TheChristianadmitsthattheuniverseismanifoldandevenmiscellaneous，justasasanemanknowsthatheiscomplex。Thesanemanknowsthathehasatouchofthebeast，atouchofthedevil，atouchofthesaint，atouchofthecitizen。
　　Nay，thereallysanemanknowsthathehasatouchofthemadman。
　　Butthematerialist’sworldisquitesimpleandsolid，justasthemadmanisquitesureheissane。Thematerialistissurethathistoryhasbeensimplyandsolelyachainofcausation，justastheinterestingpersonbeforementionedisquitesurethatheissimplyandsolelyachicken。Materialistsandmadmenneverhavedoubts。
　　Spiritualdoctrinesdonotactuallylimitthemindasdomaterialisticdenials。EvenifIbelieveinimmortalityIneednotthinkaboutit。ButifIdisbelieveinimmortalityImustnotthinkaboutit。
　　InthefirstcasetheroadisopenandIcangoasfarasIlike；
　　inthesecondtheroadisshut。Butthecaseisevenstronger，andtheparallelwithmadnessisyetmorestrange。Foritwasourcaseagainsttheexhaustiveandlogicaltheoryofthelunaticthat，rightorwrong，itgraduallydestroyedhishumanity。Nowitisthechargeagainstthemaindeductionsofthematerialistthat，rightorwrong，theygraduallydestroyhishumanity；Idonotmeanonlykindness，Imeanhope，courage，poetry，initiative，allthatishuman。
　　Forinstance，whenmaterialismleadsmentocompletefatalism（asitgenerallydoes），itisquiteidletopretendthatitisinanysensealiberatingforce。Itisabsurdtosaythatyouareespeciallyadvancingfreedomwhenyouonlyusefreethoughttodestroyfreewill。
　　Thedeterministscometobind，nottoloose。Theymaywellcalltheirlawthe"chain"ofcausation。Itistheworstchainthateverfetteredahumanbeing。Youmayusethelanguageofliberty，ifyoulike，aboutmaterialisticteaching，butitisobviousthatthisisjustasinapplicabletoitasawholeasthesamelanguagewhenappliedtoamanlockedupinamad-house。Youmaysay，ifyoulike，thatthemanisfreetothinkhimselfapoachedegg。Butitissurelyamoremassiveandimportantfactthatifheisapoachedeggheisnotfreetoeat，drink，sleep，walk，orsmokeacigarette。
　　Similarlyyoumaysay，ifyoulike，thatthebolddeterministspeculatorisfreetodisbelieveintherealityofthewill。
　　Butitisamuchmoremassiveandimportantfactthatheisnotfreetoraise，tocurse，tothank，tojustify，tourge，topunish，toresisttemptations，toincitemobs，tomakeNewYearresolutions，topardonsinners，torebuketyrants，oreventosay"thankyou"
　　forthemustard。
　　InpassingfromthissubjectImaynotethatthereisaqueerfallacytotheeffectthatmaterialisticfatalismisinsomewayfavourabletomercy，totheabolitionofcruelpunishmentsorpunishmentsofanykind。Thisisstartlinglythereverseofthetruth。
　　Itisquitetenablethatthedoctrineofnecessitymakesnodifferenceatall；thatitleavesthefloggerfloggingandthekindfriendexhortingasbefore。Butobviouslyifitstopseitherofthemitstopsthekindexhortation。Thatthesinsareinevitabledoesnotpreventpunishment；ifitpreventsanythingitpreventspersuasion。
　　Determinismisquiteaslikelytoleadtocrueltyasitiscertaintoleadtocowardice。Determinismisnotinconsistentwiththecrueltreatmentofcriminals。Whatitis（perhaps）inconsistentwithisthegeneroustreatmentofcriminals；withanyappealtotheirbetterfeelingsorencouragementintheirmoralstruggle。
　　Thedeterministdoesnotbelieveinappealingtothewill，buthedoesbelieveinchangingtheenvironment。Hemustnotsaytothesinner，"Goandsinnomore，"becausethesinnercannothelpit。Buthecanputhiminboilingoil；forboilingoilisanenvironment。
　　Consideredasafigure，therefore，thematerialisthasthefantasticoutlineofthefigureofthemadman。Bothtakeupapositionatonceunanswerableandintolerable。
　　Ofcourseitisnotonlyofthematerialistthatallthisistrue。
　　Thesamewouldapplytotheotherextremeofspeculativelogic。
　　Thereisascepticfarmoreterriblethanhewhobelievesthateverythingbeganinmatter。Itispossibletomeetthescepticwhobelievesthateverythingbeganinhimself。Hedoubtsnottheexistenceofangelsordevils，buttheexistenceofmenandcows。
　　Forhimhisownfriendsareamythologymadeupbyhimself。
　　Hecreatedhisownfatherandhisownmother。Thishorriblefancyhasinitsomethingdecidedlyattractivetothesomewhatmysticalegoismofourday。Thatpublisherwhothoughtthatmenwouldgetoniftheybelievedinthemselves，thoseseekersaftertheSupermanwhoarealwayslookingforhiminthelooking-glass，thosewriterswhotalkaboutimpressingtheirpersonalitiesinsteadofcreatinglifefortheworld，allthesepeoplehavereallyonlyaninchbetweenthemandthisawfulemptiness。Thenwhenthiskindlyworldallroundthemanhasbeenblackenedoutlikealie；
　　whenfriendsfadeintoghosts，andthefoundationsoftheworldfail；
　　thenwhentheman，believinginnothingandinnoman，isaloneinhisownnightmare，thenthegreatindividualisticmottoshallbewrittenoverhiminavengingirony。Thestarswillbeonlydotsintheblacknessofhisownbrain；hismother’sfacewillbeonlyasketchfromhisowninsanepencilonthewallsofhiscell。
　　Butoverhiscellshallbewritten，withdreadfultruth，"Hebelievesinhimself。"
　　Allthatconcernsushere，however，istonotethatthispanegoisticextremeofthoughtexhibitsthesameparadoxastheotherextremeofmaterialism。Itisequallycompleteintheoryandequallycripplinginpractice。Forthesakeofsimplicity，itiseasiertostatethenotionbysayingthatamancanbelievethatheisalwaysinadream。Now，obviouslytherecanbenopositiveproofgiventohimthatheisnotinadream，forthesimplereasonthatnoproofcanbeofferedthatmightnotbeofferedinadream。
　　ButifthemanbegantoburndownLondonandsaythathishousekeeperwouldsooncallhimtobreakfast，weshouldtakehimandputhimwithotherlogiciansinaplacewhichhasoftenbeenalludedtointhecourseofthischapter。Themanwhocannotbelievehissenses，andthemanwhocannotbelieveanythingelse，arebothinsane，buttheirinsanityisprovednotbyanyerrorintheirargument，butbythemanifestmistakeoftheirwholelives。Theyhavebothlockedthemselvesupintwoboxes，paintedinsidewiththesunandstars；theyarebothunabletogetout，theoneintothehealthandhappinessofheaven，theotherevenintothehealthandhappinessoftheearth。Theirpositionisquitereasonable；
　　nay，inasenseitisinfinitelyreasonable，justasathreepennybitisinfinitelycircular。Butthereissuchathingasameaninfinity，abaseandslavisheternity。Itisamusingtonoticethatmanyofthemoderns，whetherscepticsormystics，havetakenastheirsignacertaineasternsymbol，whichistheverysymbolofthisultimatenullity。Whentheywishtorepresenteternity，theyrepresentitbyaserpentwithhistailinhismouth。Thereisastartlingsarcasmintheimageofthatveryunsatisfactorymeal。
　　Theeternityofthematerialfatalists，theeternityoftheeasternpessimists，theeternityofthesupercilioustheosophistsandhigherscientistsofto-dayis，indeed，verywellpresentedbyaserpenteatinghistail，adegradedanimalwhodestroysevenhimself。
　　Thischapterispurelypracticalandisconcernedwithwhatactuallyisthechiefmarkandelementofinsanity；wemaysayinsummarythatitisreasonusedwithoutroot，reasoninthevoid。
　　Themanwhobeginstothinkwithouttheproperfirstprinciplesgoesmad；
　　hebeginstothinkatthewrongend。Andfortherestofthesepageswehavetotryanddiscoverwhatistherightend。Butwemayaskinconclusion，ifthisbewhatdrivesmenmad，whatisitthatkeepsthemsane？BytheendofthisbookIhopetogiveadefinite，somewillthinkafartoodefinite，answer。Butforthemomentitispossibleinthesamesolelypracticalmannertogiveageneralanswertouchingwhatinactualhumanhistorykeepsmensane。
　　Mysticismkeepsmensane。Aslongasyouhavemysteryyouhavehealth；
　　whenyoudestroymysteryyoucreatemorbidity。Theordinarymanhasalwaysbeensanebecausetheordinarymanhasalwaysbeenamystic。
　　Hehaspermittedthetwilight。Hehasalwayshadonefootinearthandtheotherinfairyland。Hehasalwayslefthimselffreetodoubthisgods；but（unliketheagnosticofto-day）freealsotobelieveinthem。Hehasalwayscaredmorefortruththanforconsistency。