Alonewithothers's Blog

The essential difference between Christian and Pagan ascetism lies in the fact that Paganism in renouncing pleasure, gives up something which it does not think desirable; wheareas Christianity in giving up pleasure gives up something which it thinks is very desirable indeed. There is a frenzy in Christian ascetism; its follies and renunciations are like those of first love.
(Gilbert Keith Chersterton, G. F. Watts, The Ballantyne Press, London, 1904, p. 32)