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
Evil comes from the ABUSE of free will
Interpretation
What this quote means
Evil arises not from the existence of free will itself, but from how individuals choose to misuse it.
C. S. Lewis suggests that free will is a fundamental aspect of human existence, granting individuals the ability to make choices. However, with this freedom comes the potential for abuse, where people can choose to act in harmful or malevolent ways, leading to evil in the world. This underscores the moral responsibility that accompanies free will, highlighting that the choices individuals make can result in both good and evil outcomes.
Themes
EvilFree WillChoiceAbuseResponsibility
In practice
Example use cases
During a debate on morality, this quote can be used to emphasize the importance of making responsible choices.
More from C. S. Lewis
All quotes →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.
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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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I went looking for embodiments of pure evil, but found ordinary people.
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