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
And there, right in the middle of it, I find 'Forgive us our sins as we forgive those that sin against us.' There is no slightest suggestion that we are offered forgiveness on any other terms. It is made perfectly clear that if we do not forgive we shall not be forgiven.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of forgiveness by stating that receiving forgiveness is conditional upon our willingness to forgive others.
C. S. Lewis points out a fundamental aspect of forgiveness that is often overlooked: it operates on a reciprocal basis. The quote reflects the notion that in order to receive forgiveness for our own wrongdoings, we must first be willing to forgive others who have wronged us. This idea is crucial in moral and ethical discussions about personal integrity and the nature of forgiveness itself.
Themes
ForgivenessReciprocityMoralityEthicsConditional
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a speech about personal growth and the importance of letting go of grudges.
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.
C. S. LewisRead
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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