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
Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Set your sights high to achieve great things; if you aim low, you may achieve nothing.
C. S. Lewis emphasizes the importance of having lofty goals in life. By aiming for something grand like 'heaven,' one is more likely to attain valuable accomplishments in their present reality ('earth'). In contrast, if one solely focuses on lowly or mundane pursuits ('earth'), they risk achieving neither their small goals nor their greater potentials.
Themes
AmbitionGoalsAspirationAchievementSuccess
In practice
Example use cases
In a graduation speech, a speaker might use this quote to inspire students to pursue their dreams.
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.
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
The castle of Cair Paravel on its little hill towered up above them; before them were the sands, with rocks and little pools of salt water, and seaweed, and the smell of the sea and long miles of bluish-green waves breaking for ever and ever on the beach. And oh, the cry of the seagulls! Have you ever heard it? Can you remember?
C. S. LewisRead
Similar quotes
Whosoever wisely examines the works of God will speedily discover what is next to be done.
Thomas BecketRead
It is advantageous to an author that his book should be attacked as well as praised. Fame is a shuttlecock. If it be struck at one end of the room, it will soon fall to the ground. To keep it up, it must be struck at both ends.
Samuel JohnsonRead
if you don't have doubts you're either kidding yourself or asleep. Doubts are the ants-in-the-pants of faith. They keep it alive and moving.
Frederick BuechnerRead
The condition of the most passionate enthusiast is to be preferred over the individual who, because of the fear of making a mistake, won't in the end affirm or deny anything
Thomas CarlyleRead
Sometimes it's worse to win a fight than to lose.
Billie HolidayRead
Oh, to have βthe word of Christβ always dwelling inside of us;-in the memory, never forgotten; in the heart, always loved; in the understanding, really grasped; with all the powers and passions of the mind fully submitted to its control!
Charles SpurgeonRead