day no. 15,654: like leaven

"We need not debate about the mere words evolution or progress: personally I prefer to call it reform. For reform implies form. It implies that we are trying to shape the world in a particular image; to make it something that we see already in our minds. Evolution is a metaphor from mere automatic unrolling. Progress is a metaphor from merely walking along a road -- very likely the wrong road. But reform is a metaphor for reasonable and determined men: it means that we see a certain thing out of shape and we mean to put it into shape. And we know what shape." -- G.K. Chesterton, Orthodoxy

Reform plants, revolution supplants; reform is seed, revolution is weed. Reform has the long game in mind, revolution is a prisoner of the moment. Reform is focused on legacy by means of the history; revolution is focused on urgency by means of violence. 

Reform is not as fast as revolution, but it is more principled. It isn't interested in removing ancient landmarks just for the sake of changing the scenery. Reform has a particular end in mind. It cannot be accomplished by haphazard disaster or slapdashery. It sees something and takes calculated measures to bring about the outcome envisioned. It is patient and principled and it will take shape. Slowly, but surely, it will win. Reform, like leaven, brings the thing back to the intended design. Reform is predicated upon form which presupposes a Former.