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
Love as distinct from "being in love" is not merely a feeling. It is a deep unity, maintained by the will and deliberately strengthened by habit.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Love is a commitment that goes beyond just emotional feelings; it requires conscious effort and habit.
C. S. Lewis emphasizes that love is fundamentally different from the fleeting emotion of being in love. Instead of being solely an emotional experience, true love is characterized by a deeper bond that is intentionally nurtured and sustained through the will and consistent habits. This implies that lasting love is cultivated through shared experiences, norms, and ongoing efforts to connect with one another.
Themes
LoveCommitmentHabitUnityRelationship
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a wedding speech to emphasize the importance of commitment in a marriage.
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.
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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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