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
If you haven't met Satan recently, you are probably going his way!
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that facing temptation or evil is a part of life; if you aren't encountering challenges, you may be complacently following a negative path.
C. S. Lewis, in this quote, highlights the idea that the absence of moral struggle or confrontation with negative influences suggests a troubling alignment with those very forces. He implies that life inherently involves grappling with evil or temptation, and if one is not facing such challenges, they might be inadvertently moving towards them rather than resisting or questioning them.
Themes
TemptationEvilMoral StruggleComplacencyCourage
In practice
Example use cases
During a sermon on moral courage, this quote reminds the congregation of the constant battle between good and evil.
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.
C. S. LewisRead
Forgiving and being forgiven are two names for the same thing. The important thing is that a discord has been resolved.
C. S. LewisRead
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
C. S. LewisRead
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