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
[God] will not be used as a convenience. Men or nations who think they can revive the Faith in order to make a good society might just as well think they can use the stairs of heaven as a shortcut to the nearest chemist's shop.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Faith cannot be manipulated for convenience; true belief requires genuine commitment.
C. S. Lewis emphasizes that one cannot utilize faith merely as a tool for personal or societal gain. Rather, authentic faith necessitates a sincere and profound engagement rather than a superficial or tactical approach, akin to attempting a shortcut that ultimately cannot achieve its goal.
Themes
FaithSocietyCommitmentAuthenticityBelief
In practice
Example use cases
During a discussion on ethics and morality in a community meeting.
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
C. S. LewisRead
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