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
A man does not call a line crooked unless he has some idea of a straight line.
Interpretation
What this quote means
We can only recognize faults and imperfections when we understand their opposites or better standards.
C. S. Lewis's quote emphasizes that in order to identify something as flawed or wrong, such as a 'crooked line', one must possess a certain understanding of what is considered 'straight' or right. This speaks to the idea that our perceptions and judgments are influenced by our knowledge and experience of ideals or truths.
Themes
UnderstandingTruthPerceptionStandardsJudgment
In practice
Example use cases
During a debate about ethics, one might quote this to illustrate the necessity of moral standards.
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
Great fury, like great whisky, requires long fermentation.
Truman CapoteRead
Wisdom stands at the turn in the road and calls upon us publicly, but we consider it false and despise its adherents.
Khalil GibranRead
I've never bothered about my color. I never had that thing about being black. If the whole world was like that, maybe there would be more harmony and love. Maybe. I don't have a problem with being black in a white country or being with my people.
Tina TurnerRead
You've got to be original, because if you're like someone else, what do they need you for?
Bernadette PetersRead
Anytime you see a turtle up on top of a fence post, you know he had some help.
Alex HaleyRead
It's true that no policy fully survives first contact. But if you don't spend time anticipating the shots you are likely to take, you wind up flailing about wildly.
Antony BlinkenRead