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
We may give our human loves the unconditional allegiance which we owe only to God. They they become gods: then they become demons. Then they will destroy us, and also destroy themselves. For natural loves that are allowed to become gods do not remain loves. They are still called so, but can become in fact complicated forms of hatred.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Unconditional love for humans can lead to destructive outcomes when it is prioritized over divine allegiance.
C. S. Lewis warns against the dangers of allowing our human relationships to take precedence over our devotion to God. When we idolize our loves, they can turn toxic, transforming from sources of joy into entities that can cause pain and suffering, ultimately leading to hatred rather than love.
Themes
LoveIdolatryHuman RelationshipsDestructionDevotion
In practice
Example use cases
In a sermon about the importance of prioritizing spiritual love over earthly attachments.
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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