7 Of C.S. Lewis' Best Quotes, Part 1 | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

7 Of C.S. Lewis' Best Quotes, Part 1

A world-renowned poet, academic, literary critic, novelist, theologian.... a man worth listening to.

97
7 Of C.S. Lewis' Best Quotes, Part 1
@cs_lewis_

In writing an article, oftentimes I think about what it is I have to say, and how I can say it best. However, an individual who doesn’t read has no business being a writer – one learns to write through the practiced use of writing-tools, but all of one's writing-tools come from observing their use in others' writing. Reading also reminds a writer that not all great ideas can be their own ideas.

So, in this article, I want to take a different approach. I want to write very little. I want to share astute sentences without tainting them too much with my own words, because as much as I want to write something worth reading, I also want to share the writing I have found to be worth reading. My passion is both production and consumption of words.

I chose CS Lewis for this piece because his works are not only well-written, but well-thought, too. I am still learning that writing has two jobs: to be beautiful and to be true. CS Lewis does not improperly sacrifice one for the sake of the other. So, here is part one of the 7 quotations from CS Lewis I wish to share that help me to think and write more beautifully, and more truly.

#1:

-- CS Lewis, The Four Loves

I love the structure of this quote. The dangers of love are well known, so Lewis addresses them outright. But it's the progressive revelation of the dangers of not loving that strikes me most in this passage: Keeping oneself perfectly safe is not only dangerous for the heart, but it is selfish. As much as loving can be frightening, the alternative is even more frightening – sinister, even.

#2:

-- CS Lewis, Mere Christianity

An obsession with perfection and success in one's work often begets paralysis instead of a bettered performance. Writing and other creative undertakings ought not to be pursued for the sake of awards and recognition, but for the sake of the personal experience, the passion and catharsis of engaging in the work. Concern for appearances smothers honesty, and great writing needs to be honest and personal. This is only possible when the audience is forgotten, and made irrelevant while the work is created.

#3:

-- CS Lewis, Mere Christianity

Life, generally, is uncomfortable. It's no wonder we seek comfort and stability amidst the changes and the losses, but that search for comfort can become blind, dishonest, and avoidant. No true comfort can be found in a dishonest search. Plugging one's ears against alarm bells doesn't turn the alarm off. The noise has not actually lessened. One must approach the cause and find the true problem in all its blaring fullness in order to resolve it, and restore the calm and the quiet.

#4:

-- CS Lewis, The Problem of Pain

The same areas that light up in the brain for physical pain light up for loneliness: mental and emotional 'pain' are quite literally agonizing. The difficulty of treating inward injuries is one of the intrinsic dilemmas of the human condition. Lewis doesn't try and pose a solution in this statement, but poses the dilemma as it is. It is so difficult to reveal one's inward pains, because they can be concealed. But concealment in no way lessens the burden.


As much as I love each of these quotations by CS Lewis, I'd be remiss not to touch on another three quotes in which he addresses the basis of his faith, as a man who converted from a strong stance in Atheism into an unshakable stance in Christianity -- these quotations I will share in my next piece.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

189585
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

14522
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

457541
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

26461
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments