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
The assumption that things which have been conjured in the past will always be conjured in the guiding principle not of rational but of animal behavior.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests that relying solely on past experiences can lead to irrational behavior.
C. S. Lewis highlights the tendency of human beings to repeat past actions based not on rational thought but instinctual behavior. This assumption can lead to the failure of recognizing that circumstances can change, and what worked before may not be beneficial in the present or future. The quote serves as a reminder to critically evaluate our decisions rather than relying on habitual responses shaped by prior experiences.
Themes
BehaviorAssumptionPastRationalityInstinct
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion on decision-making, one might cite this quote to emphasize the importance of adapting to new situations.
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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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