A dogmatic belief in objective value is necessary to the very idea of a rule which is not tyranny or an obedience which is not slavery.
C. S. LewisRead
Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Set your sights high to achieve great things; if you aim low, you may achieve nothing.
C. S. Lewis emphasizes the importance of having lofty goals in life. By aiming for something grand like 'heaven,' one is more likely to attain valuable accomplishments in their present reality ('earth'). In contrast, if one solely focuses on lowly or mundane pursuits ('earth'), they risk achieving neither their small goals nor their greater potentials.
Themes
AmbitionGoalsAspirationAchievementSuccess
In practice
Example use cases
In a graduation speech, a speaker might use this quote to inspire students to pursue their dreams.
More from C. S. Lewis
All quotes βI enjoyed my breakfast this morning, and I think that was a good thing and do not think it was condemned by God. But I do not think myself a good man for enjoying it.
C. S. LewisRead
Forgiving and being forgiven are two names for the same thing. The important thing is that a discord has been resolved.
C. S. LewisRead
I pray because I can't help myself. I pray because I'm helpless. It doesn't change God - it changes me.
C. S. LewisRead
The instrument through which you see God is your whole self. And if a man's self is not kept clean and bright, his glimpse of God will be blurred
C. S. LewisRead
The castle of Cair Paravel on its little hill towered up above them; before them were the sands, with rocks and little pools of salt water, and seaweed, and the smell of the sea and long miles of bluish-green waves breaking for ever and ever on the beach. And oh, the cry of the seagulls! Have you ever heard it? Can you remember?
C. S. LewisRead
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Whatever is happening is the path to enlightenment.
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The limits of pleasure are as yet neither known nor fixed, and that we have no idea what degree of bodily bliss we are capable of attaining.
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Cynicism masquerades as wisdom, but it is the furthest thing from it. Because cynics don't learn anything. Because cynicism is a self-imposed blindness: a rejection of the world because we are afraid it will hurt us or disappoint us. Cynics always say 'no.' But saying 'yes' begins things. Saying 'yes' is how things grow.
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We cannot learn real patience and tolerance from a guru or a friend. They can be practiced only when we come in contact with someone who creates unpleasant experiences. According to Shantideva, enemies are really good for us as we can learn a lot from them and build our inner strength.
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