Authority Quote by C.S. Lewis
““But, of course, what mattered most of all was my deep-seated hatred of authority, my monstrous individualism, my lawlessness. No word in my vocabulary expressed deeper hatred than the word INTERFERENCE. But Christianity placed at the centre what then seemed to me a transcendental Interferer. If its picture were true then no sort of 'treaty with reality' could ever be possible. There was no region even in the innermost depth of one's soul (nay, there least of all) which one could surround with a barbed wire fence and guard with a notice No Admittance. And that was what I wanted; some area, however small, of which I could say to all other beings, 'This is my business and mine only.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The Weight of Authority", 20th century Christian literature
Lewis describes a fierce hatred of authority and a desire for a personal, untouchable inner space, which he later confronts through Christian belief that places a transcendent Interferer at the center.
In simple terms: He hates authority and wants a private inner space, but Christianity challenges that.
Key Takeaway
Reflect on how belief systems shape our desire for autonomy.
Themes
philosophy
religion
individualism
Mood
reflective
provocative
Type
philosophical
personal
When to use this quote
- personal journaling
- psychological self‑analysis
- discussing authority in group settings
Key Concepts
existential freedom
spiritual authority
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you seek a private inner sanctuary?
- How does faith influence your view of authority?
A Different Perspective
The intense language may alienate readers unfamiliar with Lewis’s style.
![“The rationale which accompanies that imposition of male authority euphemistically referred to as 'the battle of the sexes' bears a certain resemblance to the formulas of nations at war, where any heinousness is justified on the grounds that the enemy is either an inferior [part of the] species or…” quote by Kate Millett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/895/kate-millett-7301_accompany_the-rationale-which-accompanies-that-imp_8896.jpg)