Anger Quote by C.S. Lewis
““Every vice leads to cruelty. Even a good emotion, pity, if not controlled by charity and justice, leads through anger to cruelty. Most atrocities are stimulated by accounts of the enemy's atrocities; and pity for the oppressed classes, when separated from the moral law as a whole, leads by a very natural process to the unremitting brutalities of a reign of terror.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Abolition of Man, C.S. Lewis, 1943
Uncontrolled emotions, even pity, can become cruelty when not guided by moral law, leading to cycles of violence and terror.
In simple terms: Pity without justice becomes cruelty.
Key Takeaway
Guide emotions with justice and charity.
Themes
morality
violence
justice
Mood
somber
reflective
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- political leadership
- conflict resolution
- human rights advocacy
Key Concepts
ethical philosophy
human nature
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies balance empathy with justice?
- What safeguards prevent pity from turning violent?
A Different Perspective
Unchecked emotions can still fuel oppression.
