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 must keep alive in myself the desire for my true country, which I shall not find till after death; I must never let it get snowed under or turned aside; I must make it the main object of life to press on to that other country and to help others to do the same.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of longing for a higher, spiritual existence and guiding others toward it.
C. S. Lewis speaks to the necessity of maintaining a passionate desire for a higher purpose or spiritual 'country' beyond our current life. He urges individuals to prioritize this longing to ensure it isn’t overshadowed by the distractions of daily existence, while also encouraging others to share in this pursuit of a meaningful afterlife.
Themes
DesireSpiritualityAfterlifePurposeGuidance
In practice
Example use cases
In a spiritual retreat, to inspire attendees to reflect on their ultimate goals.
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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