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
If conversion to Christianity makes no improvement in a man's outward actions – if he continues to be just a snobbish or spiteful or envious or ambitious as he was before – then I think we must suspect that his 'conversion' was largely imaginary.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True conversion should lead to positive changes in a person's behavior.
C. S. Lewis emphasizes that genuine conversion to Christianity should result in noticeable improvements in a person's actions and character. If an individual remains unchanged in their negative traits, such as snobbery and spite, it indicates that their conversion may not be genuine or transformative.
Themes
ConversionChristianityCharacterBehaviorChange
In practice
Example use cases
During a discussion on personal growth, one might use this quote to highlight the importance of authentic transformation.
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.
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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