Fra Chestertons bok *The Thing* (1929), hentet fra [wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Chesterton%27s_fence): > In the matter of reforming things, as distinct from deforming them, there is one plain and simple principle; a principle which will probably be called a paradox. 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." Wikipedia skriver også at deres editors bør følge prinsippet på følgende måte: > If you're considering nominating something for deletion, or changing a policy, because it doesn't appear to have any use or purpose, research its history first. You may find out why it was created, and perhaps understand that it still serves a purpose. If you believe the issue it addressed is no longer valid, frame your argument for deletion in a way that acknowledges that. Nevnt på [[Shtetl-Optimized]] i posten [My Nutty, Extremist Beliefs](https://scottaaronson.blog/?p=8410): > **(8) Science and religion.** As a secular rationalist, I’m acutely aware that no ancient religion can be “true,” in the sense believed by either the ancients or modern fundamentalists. Still, the older I’ve gotten, the more I’ve come to see religions as vast storehouses containing (among much else) millennia of accumulated wisdom about how humans can or should live. As in the parable of **Chesterton's Fence**, I think this wisdom is often far from obvious and nearly impossible to derive from first principles. So I think that, at the least, secularists will need to figure out their own long-term methods to encourage many of the same things that religion once did—such as stable families, childbirth, self-sacrifice and courage in defending one’s community, and credible game-theoretic commitments to keeping promises and various other behaviors.