day no. 15,973: de-fence less

“There exists in such a case a certain institution or law; let us say, for the sake of simplicity, a fence or gate erected across a road. The more modern type of reformer goes gaily up to it and says, ‘I don’t see the use of this; let us clear it away.’ To which the more intelligent type of reformer will do well to answer: ‘If you don’t see the use of it, I certainly won’t let you clear it away. Go away and think. Then, when you can come back and tell me that you do see the use of it, I may allow you to destroy it.’” - G.K. Chesterton

Proverbs 22:28

Remove not the ancient landmark,

which thy fathers have set.

You should not lightly move or remove an ancient landmark. Not never per se, but never without good reason. Unless, with respect to the fence, you can explain: why there? why not somewhere else? what was meant to be kept out? what was meant to be protected? why that high? did it work? did it accomplish its intended goal? is it still necessary? etc.. you should not be permitted to move or remove another's legacy.

Moving a marker or removing it altogether should only be done if one can honor their father and mother in doing so. If you cannot honor your ancestors, even when, i.e. especially when, disagreeing with them on where they landed or what they landed on, you cannot be trusted to set up your own landmarks.

A disregard for the past is a disregard for the future in a present tense, autonomous arrogance. No one acts detached from history. Everyone must reckon with their ancestors and take into account their descendants. They can ignore their grandfathers or forget their grandchildren, but they cannot act apart from them.