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
Never, never pin your whole faith on any human being: not if he is the best and wisest in the whole world. There are lots of nice things you can do with sand; but do not try building a house on it.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Relying entirely on others can lead to disappointment; trust should be placed with caution.
C. S. Lewis emphasizes the importance of self-reliance and the limitations of placing complete trust in others, no matter how capable they may seem. Just as sand lacks the stability to support a house, humans can be unreliable, and it is vital not to base one's entire faith or security on anyone else.
Themes
TrustFaithReliabilitySelf-RelianceWisdomHuman Nature
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about self-trust and caution in relationships.
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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