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Posted on 11/28/2025 9:05:05 PM PST by Repeal The 17th
There was once a small village surrounded by a tall wooden fence that had been there as long as any of the villagers could remember.
A traveler arrived one day and walked into the pub. He asked the locals why the fence was there when it blocked the beautiful view of the surrounding countryside.
They all shrugged. No one knew. The fence had just always been there. And every year, people worked to maintain and repair it.
The traveler smiled and said, "If no one knows why it's there, surely you don't need it anymore. We should tear it down. You'll have a better view and that will attract more travelers and commerce to your village. Everyone in the village will be better off!"
The locals agreed with the traveler. The next morning, they went out and dismantled the fence surrounding the village.
The view was spectacular and all the locals wondered why it had taken them so long to do what now seemed so obvious.
But that night, while everyone was asleep, a group of wolves entered the village and ravaged the livestock that kept the villagers fed.
As it turned out, the fence was there for a reason, after all.
It's easy to laugh at the villagers' mistake, until you realize how often we do the same thing...
An English writer named G.K. Chesterton once wrote on this phenomenon:
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.”
This idea, now known as Chesterton's Fence, offers a powerful lesson:
Never remove a fence until you know why it was there in the first place.
In our rush to criticize, it's important to first understand why something exists in its current form.
It's important to understand the origin.
Fences typically aren't built for no reason at all. If something exists, there was generally a reason. If you destroy it without understanding that reason, you may open yourself up to the wolves hiding behind the fence.
Most discussions of Chesterton's Fence focus on change within societies, culture, or business. It's a call-to-action to think deeply before making sweeping change. A reminder that while the systems, rules, or traditions may no longer serve their original purpose perfectly, it doesn't mean they serve no purpose at all.
But I think it's even more interesting to consider how this framework applies to your life.
We all have "fences" that our present self has inherited from the past:
Habits Mindsets Tools Beliefs Routines
Every single day, these fences shape our reality and outcomes.
I've often talked about the fact that it's easier to subtract than to add. Tearing down an old fence is easier than building up a new one.
But before you do, pause and ask yourself:
Why was this here in the first place? What was the origin?
Sometimes that evening routine you've grown tired of was the thing that kept your anxiety in check.
Sometimes that daily relationship ritual that seems pointless was the thing that made you feel connected.
Sometimes that budgeting tool you're bored of was the thing that kept your saving and investing on track.
Sometimes that boundary that feels outdated was the thing that prevented burnout.
The point isn't that all fences should remain forever. Some have truly outlived their purpose. But tearing them down without understanding that origin is dangerous.
True wisdom is found in distinguishing between the fences that still protect and the fences that simply constrain.
Before you tear down the fence, make sure you know the wolves it was keeping at bay.
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I don't know why illegal immigration is illegal, so let's get rid of that rule.
I don't know why immigrants can't vote, so let's get rid of that rule.
I don't know why 16 year old people are not allowed to vote, so let's get rid of that rule.
I don't know why first cousins should not be allowed to marry, so let's get rid of that rule.
Rules are there for a reason. Understand the reason before you remove the rule. - - -
In my life, I've found that Chesterton's fence is a very good principle to keep in mind, especially if you get a notion to "renovate" or "fix" something.
Fences have two purposes: to keep something in and to keep something out................
King Kong, 1933 film:
Carl Denham: Whaddaya think of that wall, Skipper?
Captain Englehorn: Colossal; might almost be Egyptian.
Carl Denham: Yeah, but what’s on the other side of that wall; that’s what I wanna find out.
Yes, this theory has application to many home improvement projects.
When agitated by those who want the fence gone while fully knowing why it’s there the logical solution is to throw those people over the fence to the wolves.
Yes.
If you understand why the fence is there,
but you want to remove it anyway,
you want to accept what is on the other side of the fence.
New Navy crewmembers sometimes chafe at some of the rules associated with shipboard life, and with the work that is done on an active duty combatant ship, daily and otherwise.
It’s not unusual for such a shipmate to even mock a rule or two. Or even breezily break one.
Then they learn the reason the rule exists. (Hopefully not learning the hard way, through accident or injury.)
“Ohhhhh! So that’s why!”
Best to let those sleeping would-be projects lie! Lol
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