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
When you are not feeling particularly friendly but know you ought to be, the best thing you can do, very often, is to put on a friendly manner and behave as if you were a nicer person than you actually are. And in a few minutes, as we have all noticed, you will be really feeling friendlier than you were.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Acting friendly can improve your feelings of friendliness.
C. S. Lewis suggests that even when we don't feel friendly, we can cultivate a positive attitude by consciously acting in a friendly manner. By doing so, we often find that our true feelings begin to align with our behavior, leading to an authentic sense of friendliness and connection with others.
Themes
FriendshipBehaviorPositivityEmotionsKindness
In practice
Example use cases
In a team meeting, when tensions are high, mentioning this quote can encourage everyone to act more amicably.
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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But listen to me first and swear an oath to use all your eloquence and strength to look after me and protect me.
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