G. K. Chesterton

Gilbert Keith Chesterton (May 29 1874 – June 14 1936) was an English writer of the early 20th century. Chesterton was known as the "prince of paradox" because he communicated his conservative, often countercultural, ideas in an off-hand, whimsical prose studded with startling formulations. For example: "Thieves respect property. They merely wish the property to become their property that they may more perfectly respect it." Most of Chesterton's works remain in print, including collections of his Father Brown detective stories, and Ignatius Press is presently undertaking the monumental task of republishing his complete works.

References

• The Oxford Dictionary of 20th Century Quotations by Oxford University Press (ISBN 0-19-860103-4)