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
Looking for God-or Heaven-by exploring space is like reading or seeing all Shakespeare's plays in the hope that you will find Shakespeare as one of the characters.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Searching for a transcendent being in the universe is misguided, similar to expecting to find an author among their characters.
C. S. Lewis illustrates the folly of looking for God or Heaven in the vastness of space, suggesting that such exploration will not reveal the divine. Instead, itβs akin to reading Shakespeare's works with the expectation of encountering Shakespeare himself, indicating that the author and their characters inhabit different realms of existence.
Themes
GodHeavenExplorationPhilosophySpace
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a lecture on philosophy to illustrate the relationship between belief and understanding.
More from C. S. Lewis
All quotes βI 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.
C. S. LewisRead
Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither.
C. S. LewisRead
Forgiving and being forgiven are two names for the same thing. The important thing is that a discord has been resolved.
C. S. LewisRead
I pray because I can't help myself. I pray because I'm helpless. It doesn't change God - it changes me.
C. S. LewisRead
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
Similar quotes
Sugar crystallizes something in our American Soul. It is emblematic of all Industrial Processes. And of the idea of becoming white. White Being equated with pure and βtrueβ it takes a lot of energy to turn brown things into white things. A lot of pressure.
Kara WalkerRead
The ductless glands secrete among other things our moods, our aspirations, our philosophy of life.
Aldous HuxleyRead
As one whose husband and mother-in-law have died the victims of murder and assassination, I stand firmly and unequivocally opposed to the death penalty for those convicted of capital offenses. An evil deed is not redeemed by an evil deed of retaliation. Justice is never advanced in the taking of a human life. Morality is never upheld by a legalized murder.
Coretta Scott KingRead
The breath of an aristocrat is the death rattle of freedom.
Georg BuchnerRead
I believe all religions pursue the same goals, that of cultivating human goodness and bringing happiness to all human beings. Though the means might appear different the ends are the same.
Dalai LamaRead
She's beautiful,' he murmured. 'She's a metre across the hips, easily,' said Julia. 'That is her style of beauty,' said Winston.
George OrwellRead