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
Sleeping on a dragon's hoard with greedy, dragonish thoughts in his heart, he had become a dragon himself.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects how greed can transform a person's nature over time.
C. S. Lewis suggests that when a person is consumed by greed, akin to a dragon hoarding treasure, they not only desire wealth but also begin to embody the characteristics of greed itself. This transformation speaks to the inherent danger of allowing selfish and possessive thoughts to dominate one's life, ultimately leading to a loss of humanity and compassion.
Themes
GreedTransformationSelfishnessHumanityDesire
In practice
Example use cases
During a lecture on personal values, one might quote this to illustrate the dangers of greed.
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Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither.
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Forgiving and being forgiven are two names for the same thing. The important thing is that a discord has been resolved.
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I pray because I can't help myself. I pray because I'm helpless. It doesn't change God - it changes me.
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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
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