The Fallacy of Success

“The Fallacy of Success” is a short essay authored by the prolific English writer, journalist, philosopher, and Christian apologist G. K. Chesterton (1874-1936). The essay was originally published in 1908 in All Things Considered, an anthology of informal essays on disparate topics—from fairy tales to chasing one’s hat to politics—all written by Chesterton for the Illustrated London News prior to World War I. The essays belong to the nonfiction genre of the news column; in their concision and tone, they aim to be accessible to ordinary readers. “The Fallacy of Success” discusses and ridicules books that claim to teach readers the secret to success; it explores themes of The Complexity of Falsehood and the Simplicity of Truth, The Instinct to Worship, and The Viciousness of New Values. 

This study guide refers to the version found in the Project Gutenberg eBook version of All Things Considered. All citations from other essays written by Chesterton and included in All Things Considered are from the same source. Citations are by paragraph.

Addressing the rise of a genre he finds both “wild” and “dull,” Chesterton begins by denouncing the very idea of discussing

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