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
A world of nice people, content in their own niceness, looking no further, turned away from God, would be just as desperately in need of salvation as a miserable world-and might be even more difficult to save.
Interpretation
What this quote means
A complacent society, even if nice, may be in greater spiritual danger than one that is struggling.
C. S. Lewis suggests that a world filled with well-meaning individuals who are satisfied with their 'niceness' can be spiritually blind and thus just as in need of redemption as a troubled world. This complacency can make it even more challenging to awaken them to their need for a deeper relationship with God, as they might not recognize the void in their lives.
Themes
NicenessSpiritualitySalvationComplacencyRedemption
In practice
Example use cases
In a sermon addressing the importance of recognizing one's shortcomings, this quote can highlight the danger of complacency.
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.
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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
C. S. LewisRead
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