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
He died not for men, but for each man. If each man had been the only man made, He would have done no less.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the individual worth of each person and the idea of selfless love.
C. S. Lewis's quote reflects on the profound nature of love and sacrifice, suggesting that true love values each individual uniquely, as if they were the only person in existence. It illustrates the Christian belief that the sacrifice of Jesus was not for humanity as a whole, but for each person individually, stressing the necessity of recognizing personal worth and dignity in every human being.
Themes
LoveSacrificeIndividualWorthHumanity
In practice
Example use cases
In a sermon about compassion, one might say this quote to illustrate the nature of divine love.
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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