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 first action to be taken is to pull ourselves together. If we are going to be destroyed by an atomic bomb, let that bomb, when it comes, find us doing sensible and human things -- praying, working, teaching, reading, listening to music, bathing the children, playing tennis, chatting to our friends over a pint and a game of darts -- not huddled together like frightened sheep and thinking about bombs.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote encourages taking proactive, meaningful actions rather than succumbing to fear in the face of disaster.
C. S. Lewis emphasizes the importance of maintaining our humanity and engaging in the activities we cherish in times of potential crisis. Rather than allowing ourselves to be paralyzed by fear of catastrophic events, we should focus on living fully and meaningfully. His call to action is to choose to engage in life, such as connecting with loved ones and engaging in creative or productive endeavors, as a way to counter the anxiety of uncertainty.
Themes
CourageActionHumanityFearMeaningfulLifeCrisis
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech about facing challenges head-on.
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
C. S. LewisRead
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