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
The question is not what we intended ourselves to be, but what He intended us to be when He made us.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects on the difference between human intentions and divine purpose.
C. S. Lewis emphasizes the importance of understanding our true purpose not from our own aspirations, but from a higher calling or intention that was set at the time of our creation. It invites individuals to seek a deeper understanding of their existence and aligns the notion of identity with a greater, perhaps spiritual purpose.
Themes
PurposeIntentionIdentitySpiritualityExistence
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech at a spiritual retreat, to inspire attendees to reflect on their life's direction.
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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Now, legal plunder can be committed in an infinite number of ways. Thus we have an infinite number of plans for organizing it: tariffs, protection, benefits, subsidies, encouragements, progressive taxation, public schools, guaranteed jobs, guaranteed profits, minimum wages, a right to relief, a right to the tools of labor, free credit, and so on, and so on.
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When a country is in harmony with the Tao, the factories make trucks and tractors. When a country goes counter to the Tao, warheads are stockpiled outside the cities. There is no greater illusion than fear, no greater wrong than preparing to defend yourself, no greater misfortune than having an enemy. Whoever can see through all fear will always be safe.
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