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 real trouble about the duty of forgiveness is that you do it with all your might on Monday and then find on Wednesday that it hasn't stayed put and all has to be done over again.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Forgiveness is a continuous effort that requires constant attention and renewal.
C.S. Lewis highlights the challenging nature of forgiveness, suggesting that it is not a one-time act but rather an ongoing process. Despite putting in great effort to forgive someone, the feelings of hurt can resurface, necessitating a repeated commitment to forgive, which can be both frustrating and essential in maintaining healthy relationships.
Themes
ForgivenessRelationshipsEmotional HealingCommitmentStruggle
In practice
Example use cases
During a support group discussion on emotional healing, one might reference this quote to illustrate the ongoing nature of forgiveness.
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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