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
In reading Chesterton, as in reading MacDonald, I did not know what I was letting myself in for. A young man who wishes to remain a sound Atheist cannot be too careful of his reading. There are traps everywhere — "Bibles laid open, millions of surprises," as Herbert says, "fine nets and stratagems." God is, if I may say it, very unscrupulous.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote warns that reading certain texts can challenge one's beliefs, particularly those of an atheist.
C. S. Lewis reflects on the challenges an atheist faces when engaging with literature that might unexpectedly provoke spiritual thoughts or questions. He suggests that certain books can act as traps that lead to reflections on faith and God, highlighting the idea that literature possesses the power to influence our beliefs deeply, often in unpredictable ways.
Themes
ReadingFaithAtheismInfluenceLiterature
In practice
Example use cases
During a book club discussion, one could share this quote to emphasize the impact of literature on our belief systems.
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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