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
What he says, even on his knees, about his own sinfulness is all parrot talk. At bottom, he still believes he has run up a very favorable credit-balance in the Enemy's ledger by allowing himself to be converted, and thinks that he is showing great humility and condescension in going to church with these 'smug', commonplace neighbors at all.
Interpretation
The quote highlights the illusion of humility in those who seek validation for their supposed moral superiority.
C. S. Lewis critiques the superficiality of a person's confession of sinfulness, suggesting that true humility requires an honest understanding of one's faults, rather than a self-satisfied belief that one is better than others for simply participating in religious rituals. The quote underscores the danger of thinking one can earn favor in a divine ledger through acts that are more about appearance than genuine moral reflection.
In practice
During a sermon about true humility, one could quote Lewis to emphasize the importance of sincere self-reflection.
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.
I 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.
Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither.
Forgiving and being forgiven are two names for the same thing. The important thing is that a discord has been resolved.
I pray because I can't help myself. I pray because I'm helpless. It doesn't change God - it changes me.
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
There is giant untapped potential in disagreement, especially if the disagreement is between two or more thoughtful people
The secret of fortune is joy in our hands. Welcome evermore to gods and men is the self-helping man. For him all doors are flung wide. Him all tongues greet, all honors crown, all eyes follow with desire. Our love goes out to him and embraces him because he did not need it.
Being ignorant is not so much a shame, as being unwilling to learn.
Our ignorance allowed us to live, as you are in the mountains, and your rope is frayed and about to break, but you don't know it and feel safe.
Not everyone can wait: neither the sated nor the satisfied nor those without respect can wait. The only ones who can wait are people who carry restlessness around with them.
Work is always an antidote to depression.
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