# Chesterton’s Fence Don’t change something until you understand why it is the way it is. There may be a valid reason for it to be that way. From the book *The Thing* by Chesterton: `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:Chesterton’s fence - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Chesterton%27s_fence) ### Related * [[It is rational to try something that failed in the past as long as you explicitly call out why you will succeed when they failed]] <!-- #mental-model --> [Web URL for this note](http://notes.benjaminreinhardt.com/Chesterton’s+Fence) [Comment on this note](http://via.hypothes.is/http://notes.benjaminreinhardt.com/Chesterton’s+Fence)