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
Last year, when he had been staying with the Pevensies, he had managed to hear them all talking of Narnia and he loved teasing them about it. He thought of course that they were making it all up; and as he was far too stupid to make anything up himself, he did not approve of that.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote illustrates skepticism towards imaginative stories due to a lack of creativity.
In this quote, C. S. Lewis captures the perspective of a character who dismisses the fantastical tales of Narnia as mere fabrications. This skepticism stems from his own insecurities about his imaginative capabilities, highlighting the tension between belief in the extraordinary and the limitations that self-doubt can impose on one's perception of reality.
Themes
ImaginationSkepticismCreativityBeliefFantasy
In practice
Example use cases
Use this quote in a discussion about the importance of creativity in storytelling.
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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