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
Try to exclude the possibility of suffering which the order of nature and the existence of free-wills involve, and you find that you have excluded life itself
Interpretation
What this quote means
Avoiding suffering can lead to avoiding the essence of life itself.
C. S. Lewis highlights the inherent connection between suffering and the human experience. By attempting to eliminate suffering, we may inadvertently strip away the richness and depth that life offers, including the freedom to make choices and face consequences, thus rejecting the beauty of existence.
Themes
SufferingLifeFree WillNatureExperience
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech on personal growth, one might say this quote to emphasize the importance of embracing challenges.
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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