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
I haven't any language weak enough to depict the weakness of my spiritual life. If I weakened it enough it would cease to be language at all. As when you try to turn the gas-ring a little lower still, and it merely goes out.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote expresses the inadequacy of language to fully capture the depth of one's spiritual struggles.
C. S. Lewis's quote reflects the profound challenges of articulating personal spiritual experiences, suggesting that language can only convey so much. When it comes to expressing the frailties of the spiritual life, words may fail completely, much like attempting to lower a gas flame until it extinguishes. This highlights the complexity and intimacy of spiritual life, which often transcends verbal expression.
Themes
SpiritualityLanguageExpressionWeaknessDepth
In practice
Example use cases
During a discussion on spiritual experiences in a philosophy class.
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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