Eugenics and Other Evils

Written by G.K. Chesterton

Narrated by LibriVox Community

Most Eugenists are Euphemists. I mean merely that short words startle them, while long words soothe them. And they are utterly incapable of translating the one into the other, however obviously they mean the same thing. Say to them "The persuasive and even coercive powers of the citizen should enable him to make sure that the burden of longevity in the previous generation does not become disproportionate and intolerable, especially to the females"; say this to them and they will sway slightly to and fro like babies sent to sleep in cradles. Say to them "Murder your mother," and they sit up quite suddenly. Yet the two sentences, in cold logic, are exactly the same. (Summary by Gilbert Keith Chesterton)

• Language: English
• Publisher: LibriVox
• Release date: Aug 25, 2014

G.K. Chesterton

G.K. Chesterton (1874–1936) was an English writer, philosopher and critic known for his creative wordplay. Born in London, Chesterton attended St. Paul’s School before enrolling in the Slade School of Fine Art at University College. His professional writing career began as a freelance critic where he focused on art and literature. He then ventured into fiction with his novels The Napoleon of Notting Hill and The Man Who Was Thursday as well as a series of stories featuring Father Brown.

Reviews for Eugenics and Other Evils

[Jerry Weis · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

This essay manages to use a great deal of words to say very little. It wanders and rambles far too much for my liking. The author keeps saying he’s going to define eugenics, but never quite does, instead diverging into a variety of analogies that don’t seem to pertain to the subject in question. Perhaps this was acceptable writing back in the time this was composed, but in my opinion it doesn’t hold up to today’s standards.

[Jeremiah · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Good but unfinished. I always love g k cheststerton.. awesome.