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
I wish we didn't live in a world where buying and selling things seems to have become almost more important than either producing or using them.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote expresses a concern about consumerism overshadowing the value of production and use.
C. S. Lewis highlights a societal issue where the act of buying and selling has taken precedence over the appreciation and understanding of the actual creation and usage of goods. This reflection critiques the modern consumer culture, suggesting that the intrinsic value of products and the human connection to their production have been diminished in favor of commercial transactions.
Themes
ConsumerismProductionValueSocietyMaterialism
In practice
Example use cases
During a seminar on sustainable living, this quote can be used to emphasize the importance of mindful consumption.
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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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