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
Friendship exhibits a glorious "nearness by resemblance" to Heaven itself where the very multitude of the blessed (which no man can number) increases the fruition which each has of God. For every soul, seeing Him in her own way, doubtless communicates that unique vision to all the rest. That, says an old author, is why the Seraphim in Isaiah's vision are crying "Holy, Holy, Holy" to one another (Isaiah VI, 3). The more we thus share the Heavenly Bread between us, the more we shall all have.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Friendship enriches our lives by reflecting shared values and experiences, akin to a communal experience of the divine.
In this quote, C. S. Lewis illustrates how friendship mirrors a heavenly connection where individuals, through their unique perceptions, contribute to a collective understanding and joy. Just as the Seraphim in Isaiah's vision celebrate their divine knowledge together, friendships allow us to share and multiply our joys and insights, enhancing our spiritual and relational fulfillment.
Themes
FriendshipConnectionCommunityShared ExperiencesSpirituality
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about the value of connections, I would reference this quote to emphasize the importance of shared experiences.
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.
C. S. LewisRead
Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither.
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
Similar quotes
A blessed thing it is for any man or woman to have a friend, one human soul whom we can trust utterly, who knows the best and worst of us, and who loves us in spite of all our faults.
Charles KingsleyRead
Strangers are exciting, their mystery never ends. But, there's nothing like looking at your own history in the faces of your friends.
Ani DifrancoRead
Oh, Eeyore, you are wet!” said Piglet, feeling him. Eeyore shook himself, and asked somebody to explain to Piglet what happened when you had been inside a river for quite a long time.
A. A. MilneRead
Just remember, some come, some go. The ones that stay with you through everything - they're your true best friends. Don't let go of them.
Marilyn MonroeRead
One who knows how to show and to accept kindness will be a friend better than any possession.
SophoclesRead
The sincere friends of this world are as ship lights in the stormiest of nights.
Giotto Di BondoneRead