Introduction

There was a time when traditions were respected just for being traditions. That is to say, you could win an argument by stating “it's traditional.” That all changed during the counter-culture days of the sixties. Change for change's sake became popular. The winning argument switched to “It's time for a change.” But traditions are traditions for very good reasons, reasons that persist over time, but may have been long forgotten. Unfortunately, appealing to tradition is not enough anymore. Now that rapid change is the norm, the reasons behind the traditions need to be re-discovered, rejuvenated, and re-stated.

I like to read famous quotes. There are any number of famous quotes about tradition. Even a cursory examination of quotes about tradition will tell you that it is traditional to ridicule tradition. For instance, try this one from Henry Ford “We don't want tradition. We want to live in the present and the only history that is worth a tinker's dam is the history we make today.” Or this one: “In America nothing dies easier than tradition,” from Russell Baker. I prefer the more measured insight of W. Somerset Maugham, who said “Tradition is a guide and not a jailer.” Even more to my liking is this one: “Tradition means giving votes to the most obscure of all classes, our ancestors. It is the democracy of the dead. Tradition refuses to submit to that arrogant oligarchy who merely happen to be walking around.” written by G. K. Chesterton. I share the sentiments of those who respected the positive aspects of tradition.