"What people call impartiality may simply mean indifference, and what people call partiality may simply mean mental activity"
- Gilbert K. Chesterton
About this Quote
This quote by Gilbert K. Chesterton is a commentary on how people often misinterpret the meaning of specific words. He recommends that what people call impartiality might in fact be indifference, and what people call partiality may actually be psychological activity. To put it simply, people might believe they are being objective when they are really being indifferent, and they may think they are being partial when they are actually participating in psychological activity. This quote is a tip to be conscious of the words we utilize and to be aware of the real meaning behind them. It likewise encourages us to believe seriously and to be open to different perspectives. Ultimately, Chesterton is suggesting that we must strive to be unbiased and to participate in mental activity in order to make informed choices.