Hell Quote by C.S. Lewis
““But do remember, the only thing that matters is the extent to which you separate the man from the Enemy. It does not matter how small the sins are provided that their cumulative effect is to edge the man away from the Light and out into the Nothing. Murder is no better than cards if cards can do the trick. Indeed the safest road to Hell is the gradual one—the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts, Your””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis, 1942
The quote warns that moral decline is measured by how far a person drifts from goodness, not by the size of individual sins; gradual corruption is more dangerous than sudden evil.
In simple terms: Gradual moral decline is worse than isolated bad acts.
Key Takeaway
Guard against small compromises that lead away from virtue.
Themes
morality
spirituality
danger
gradualism
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- political leadership
- corporate culture
- education systems
Key Concepts
sin accumulation
ethical erosion
spiritual distance
Questions to Reflect On
- What small habits might be eroding your values?
- How can you recognize gradual moral drift?
A Different Perspective
Even tiny sins can accumulate, but some argue intent matters more than cumulative effect.
![“You will say these are very small sins... [But] it does not matter how small the sins are provided that their cumulative effect is to edge the man away from the Light and out into the Nothing. Murder is no better than cards if cards can do the trick. Indeed, the safest road to Hell is the gradual…” quote by C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/18e/c-s-lewis-2-132_can-do_you-will-say-these-are-very-small-sins-b_2964969.jpg)
![“Except in these latter-day songs, [Bob] Dylan is a grizzled old prophet who's already been to hell and back.” quote by Jay Michaelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/fcd/jay-michaelson-15590_bob_except-in-these-latter-day-songs-bob-dyl_3830.jpg)
