“If you asked twenty good men to-day what they thought the highest of the virtues, nineteen of them would reply, Unselfishness. But if you asked almost any of the great Christians of old he would have replied, Love. You see what has happened? A negative term has been substituted for a positive, and this is of more than philological importance. The negative ideal of Unselfishness carries with it the suggestion not primarily of securing good things for others, but of going without them ourselves, as if our abstinence and not their happiness was the important point. I do not think this is the Christian virtue of Love.”—C.S. Lewis
March 4, 2010
Quote of the Day: Love vs. Unselfishness
Posted by Theosophical Ruminator under Quote of the Day, Theology[3] Comments
March 4, 2010 at 12:56 pm
The writings of C.S. Lewis never cease to amaze me. It’s amazing that such an intellectual giant could express truth so simply.
Great blog, by the way. I’m enjoying the articles!
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March 4, 2010 at 9:48 pm
The Weight of Glory has always been a favorite of mine. This quote from that sermon, by C.S. Lewis, is one of the diamonds in that writing.
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March 4, 2010 at 10:26 pm
I have not read it. The only work I have ever read of Lewis’ is Mere Christianity. One day I’ll read more of him. I know he had a lot of insight into the faith, and had a gift for conveying difficult concepts so simply. If only I had that gift!
Jason
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