“Every man has forgotten who he is. One may understand the cosmos, but never the ego; the self is more distant than any star.Thou shalt love the Lord thy God; but thou shalt not know thyself.We are all under the same mental calamity; we have all forgotten our names. We have all forgotten what we really are. All that we call common sense and rationality and practicality and positivism only means that for certain dead levels of our life we forget that we have forgotten. All that we call spirit and art and ecstasy only means that for one awful moment we remember that we forget.”

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About G.K. Chesterton

English writer and philosopher of the early 20th century, G.K. Chesterton is best known for his witty, paradoxical essays and novels that explore faith, tradition, and the human condition. His works often blend humor with deep philosophical inquiry, making complex ideas accessible and thought-provoking.

More from G.K. Chesterton (260 quotes) →
"Every man has forgotten who he is. One may understand the cosmos, but…" — G.K. Chesterton | Daily Quotes