Over 50 years ago on November 22, 1963, the world lost an amazing soul whose work continues to inspire many, leaving deep spiritual influence in our world still today.
C. S. Lewis - writer, poet, scholar, Christian apologist, Oxford professor, and theologian – continues to be remembered as one of the most quoted and well-known authors of all time. Before we jump to 25 C.S. Lewis quotes that span his writing career, let’s go back to look at his life and faith that inspired his writing.
A Life of Hardship
Born in Belfast Ireland on Nov. 29, 1898, Clive Staples Lewis (nicknamed Jack) grew up with a deep love for reading books. Some of his favorites were Beatrix Potter stories; he had a fascination for writing and illustrating his own animal stories.
Losing his mother at an early age had a deep impact on Lewis’ spiritual life. Without her wisdom and godly influence, under agnostic and atheistic education later as a teen, he eventually walked away from his faith becoming an atheist.
Through the years, he faced hardship and pain after being injured in World War One and continued his search for meaning in life. Lewis finally came back to God at age 32, greatly influenced by the inspiring writings of George McDonald and other colleagues and friends, such as J. R. R. Tolkien, and G. K Chesterton.
As Lewis’ faith grew stronger over time, his writings and work deeply touched millions of lives during World War II and the years that followed. It was then that some of his greatest work was published. It was also when, in his later years, that Lewis unexpectedly met the love of his life: American writer, Joy Davidman. The two married, yet just 4 years afterward, he lost his dear wife to cancer. She was only 45. Their love story was told through the award-winning movie Shadowlands.
Photo Credit: Unsplash/ John Towner
Words that Bring Hope and Light
His struggles and search for answers to life's deeper spiritual questions infused predominant themes into Lewis' writings. Many of his works center around topics such as good and evil, moral awareness, the existence of God, creation and the fall of man, grief, purpose, and the person and gift of Jesus Christ Himself, the most important message for all of life.
Lewis authored over 30 books. Some of his greatest works include The Chronicles of Narnia (which introduced the famous The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe), Mere Christianity, The Great Divorce, and The Screwtape Letters. Even after all these years, the books of C.S. Lewis still remain in print and are more popular than ever. His ability to write in so many different genres and connect with readers of all types, ages, and religious backgrounds, reveal how much of a literary genius he really was. From children’s books to science fiction, from apologetics to poetry, Lewis’ skilled and inspiring words continue to bring hope and light to a dark world.
Photo Credit: Unsplash/ Veronica Gomez Ibarra
25 Inspiring Quotes by C.S. Lewis (And the Books and Works Where They Appeared):
Is Theology Poetry
This is one of his most famous quotes from an essay (Is Theology Poetry) written by C.S. Lewis and was first presented to the Oxford Socratic Club in 1944. It is “as rich as poetry,” and addresses several beliefs which present Christianity as absolute truth. Some of these very thoughts are what led Lewis back to his Christian roots and away from atheism that he had followed for a season of time in his younger years.
“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen - not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.”
Mere Christianity
One of his most famous books, and considered a classic among Christian apologetics, Mere Christianity came from a series of BBC radio broadcasts that Lewis had recorded during WWII between 1941-1944. In it, he attempts to explain the basic fundamentals of Christianity.
"Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less."
"If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world."
"When Christ died, he died for you individually just as much as if you had been the only person in the world."
“A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you.”
“Everyone thinks forgiveness is a lovely idea until he has something to forgive.”
for Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
The Four Loves
The Four Loves was also based on a series of radio talks by Lewis and attempts to explain “love” from a Christian perspective, through the four main categories stemming from the Greek words for “affection,” “eros,” “charity,” and “friendship.”
“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: "What! You too? I thought I was the only one.”
“A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word 'darkness' on the walls of his cell.”
Collected Letters of C. S. Lewis
This is a collection of Lewis's letters from childhood, his army days in WWI, and his early academic life at Oxford. This book series gives the reader an inside look at the early days of one of the most creative minds and writers of modern history.
“There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.”
for The Collected Letters of C.S. Lewis
The Chronicles of Narnia
The Chronicles of Narnia (my personal favorite from C.S. Lewis) is a series of seven fantasy novels which are considered his greatest and best-known work ever. It is a classic in Children's literature and has been adapted into both movie and stage work as well. Through Christian themes, the setting of Narnia becomes a place where fictional characters come to life and ultimately point to the need for a Savior and King.
“But, first, remember, remember, remember the signs. Say them to yourself when you wake in the morning and when you lie down at night, and when you wake in the middle of the night. And whatever strange things may happen to you, let nothing turn your mind from following the signs. And secondly, I give you a warning. Here on the mountain I have spoken to you clearly: I will not often do so down in Narnia. Here on the mountain, the air is clear and your mind is clear; as you drop down into Narnia, the air will thicken. Take great care that it does not confuse your mind. And the signs which you have learned here will not look at all as you expect them to look when you meet them there. That is why it is so important to know them by heart and pay no attention to appearances. Remember the signs and believe the signs. Nothing else matters.”
“Courage, dear heart.”
“No great wisdom can be reached without sacrifice.”
For The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
On Stories: And Other Essays on Literature
On Stories: And Other Essays on Literature is a collection of essays written by Lewis about writing fiction and shares many of his greatest thoughts and teachings, even some that had never been published during his lifetime.
"Since it is so likely that (children) will meet cruel enemies, let them at least have heard of brave knights and heroic courage. Otherwise, you are making their destiny not brighter but darker."
The Joyful Christian
This book is a devotional of some of C.S. Lewis’s greatest works on spirituality, faith, and prayer.
“Aim at Heaven and you will get Earth 'thrown in': aim at Earth and you will get neither.”
For The Joyful Christian by C.S. Lewis
The Screwtape Letters
This Christian apologetic book, know as The Screwtape Letters, became one of Lewis’s greatest works though it’s been said that he claimed it was not “fun to write” and resolved not to write another like this. Written in satirical form, this book was used to address the major issues of temptation, sin, and the pull of demon forces at work in this world. The fictional characters are Demon Screwtape, his nephew Wormwood, and a man known only as “the Patient.”
“Prosperity knits a man to the world. He feels that he is finding his place in it, while really it is finding its place in him.”
For The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis
The Great Divorce
The Great Divorce is written in the form of a “theological dream vision” and takes a closer look at the reality of heaven and hell from a Christian perspective. It was first printed in a series in an Anglican newspaper during WWII and soon was put into book form.
“You cannot love a fellow creature fully till you love God.”
For The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis
The Weight of Glory
This classic of Lewis originally came from a sermon delivered in 1941. The book contains nine powerful sermons and messages that he preached during WWII offering guidance, faith, and hope during times of great doubt.
“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.”
For The Weight of Glory by C.S. Lewis
More powerful quotes and wisdom by C.S. Lewis:
“The homemaker has the ultimate career. All other careers exist for one purpose only – and that is to support the ultimate career.”
“God can't give us peace and happiness apart from Himself because there is no such thing.”
“A woman's heart should be so close to God that a man should have to chase Him to find her.”
“Affliction is often that thing which prepares an ordinary person for some sort of an extraordinary destiny.”
“Integrity is doing the right thing even when no one is watching.”
“No man knows how bad he is till he has tried very hard to be good.”
“Don’t shine so others can see you. Shine so that through you others can see Him.”
“Look for Christ and you will find Him. And with Him, everything else.”
A Treasure of Words and Wisdom
Like many of you, I’m incredibly thankful for this man who has left a treasure of words and wisdom for our world. Truths that, over and over, point directly to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ - the greatest gift of all.
Debbie McDaniel is a writer, pastor's wife, mom to three amazing kids (and a lot of pets). Join her each morning on Fresh Day Ahead's Facebook page, for daily encouragement in living strong, free, hope-filled lives.
This article is part of our larger Inspiring Quotes resource meant to encourage strengthen your faith. Visit our most popular quotes by well known Christians and theologians to find more inspiration. Remember, the Holy Spirit can work through us when we increase our faith and share it with us! Please pass along any quotes that touch your heart because you never know light you can shine on someone else’s dark day!
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Originally published Monday, 17 January 2022.
