Sincerely Egotistical

The phrase “he has been forced to be egotistical only in order to be sincere” from the preface of G. K. Chesterton’s Orthodoxy suggested that Chesterton believed he must embrace certain aspects of his own personality—perhaps his individuality, strong opinions, or distinctive style—to genuinely express his beliefs and convictions.

In other words, Chesterton was implying that when someone is committed to honesty and sincerity about their worldview, they may need to highlight or even assert their own perspective strongly. This assertion might come across as egotistical, but it’s a necessary part of being truthful and authentic. So, the statement recognizes that sincerity sometimes requires one to be confidently self-assured, even if that appears egotistical on the surface.

Byron's Babbles