>[!abstract] >Chesterton's fence is the principle that reforms should not be made until the reasoning behind the existing state of affairs is understood. The quotation is from Chesterton's 1929 book, *The Thing: Why I Am a Catholic*, in the chapter, "The Drift from Domesticity": > > "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, 2024). >[!note] >I take Chesterton's fence as a warning to respect the judgment of others before us and not rush to removing things (including, but not limited to, safeguards or redundancies) simply because we do not immediately see their point or purpose. It is a lesson in second-order thinking given the unintended consequences that hasty action can cause. >[!related] >- **North** (upstream): — >- **West** (similar): — >- **East** (different): — >- **South** (downstream): —