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
He cannot "tempt" to virtue as we do to vice. He wants them to learn to walk and must therefore take away His hand; and if only the will to walk is really there He is pleased even with their stumbles.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote illustrates the idea that growth often involves learning through trial and error, rather than being guided away from mistakes.
C. S. Lewis discusses the nature of virtue and how it is not simply a matter of temptation. Instead, he suggests that to truly learn and grow, individuals must be allowed to make their own choices, even if that leads to mistakes. The concept emphasizes that the journey of moral growth is intrinsic and that genuine willingness is valued even in failure, as it shows the desire to strive for virtue.
Themes
VirtueGrowthLearningMistakesTrial And Error
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about personal development and life lessons.
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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