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
Excess of love, did ye say? There was no excess, there was defect. She loved her son too little, not too much. If she had loved him more there'd be no difficulty.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes that a lack of love, rather than an excess of it, can lead to difficulties in relationships.
C. S. Lewis is arguing that the troubles in a relationship stem from insufficient love rather than an overabundance of it. The statement reflects on the idea that true affection is vital and that more love could resolve conflicts, especially in the context of a parent-child relationship. It suggests that a true excess of love is not possible; instead, shortcomings in love are what create obstacles in connection and understanding.
Themes
LoveRelationshipsParentingAffectionDifficulty
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used during a parenting workshop to discuss the importance of unconditional love.
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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