**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 [G. K. Chesterton](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/G._K._Chesterton)‘s 1929 book *The Thing*, in the chapter entitled "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."> [> [1]](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/%23cite_note-1) Chesterton’s admonition should first be understood within his own historical context, as a response to certain socialists and reformers of his time (e.g. [George Bernard Shaw](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Bernard_Shaw)).