Nature Quote by C.S. Lewis
““Every conquest over Nature increases her domain. The stars do not become Nature till we can weigh and measure them: the soul does not become Nature till we can psychoanalyse her. The wresting of powers from Nature is also the surrendering of things to Nature. As long as this process stops short of the final stage we may well hold that the gain outweighs the loss. But as soon as we take the final step of reducing our own species to the level of mere Nature, the whole process is stultified, for this time the being who stood to gain and the being who has been sacrificed are one and the same. This is one of the many instances where to carry a principle to what seems its logical conclusion produces absurdity.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Weight of Glory, C.S. Lewis, 1949
Human attempts to dominate nature become self‑defeating when we reduce ourselves to mere nature, losing the distinctiveness that gives meaning.
In simple terms: Controlling nature is fine until we lose what makes us human.
Key Takeaway
Preserve human uniqueness while engaging nature.
Themes
humanism
philosophy
environment
ethics
Mood
thoughtful
cautious
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- scientific research
- technological development
- environmental policy
- personal growth
Key Concepts
anthropocentrism
self‑sacrifice
limits of mastery
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we balance technological progress with preserving humanity?
- When does mastery become exploitation?
A Different Perspective
The quote may overstate the dichotomy between mastery and surrender, ignoring collaborative symbiosis.
