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
Walking and talking are two very great pleasures, but it is a mistake to combine them. Our own noise blots out the sounds and silences of the outdoor world; and talking leads almost inevitably to smoking, and then farewell to nature as far as one of our senses is concerned. The only friend to walk with is one who so exactly shares your taste for each mood of the countryside that a glance, a halt, or at most a nudge, is enough to assure us that the pleasure is shared.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the joy of appreciating nature in silence rather than chatting, which can detract from the experience.
C. S. Lewis reflects on the pleasures of walking in nature, suggesting that talking while walking is a mistake because it distracts from the beauty and tranquility of the outdoor world. He argues that true companionship in nature is found in shared silence and the subtle understanding between friends, allowing one to fully experience the sights and sounds of nature without the interference of conversation.
Themes
NatureWalkingSilenceCompanionshipPleasure
In practice
Example use cases
During a nature retreat, one might use this quote to encourage others to enjoy the surroundings quietly.
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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