Christianity Quote by C.S. Lewis
““If we are content to go back and become humble plain men obeying tradition, well. If we are ready to climb and struggle on till we become sages ourselves, better still. But the man who will neither obey wisdom in others nor adventure for her/himself is fatal. A society where the simple many obey the few seers can live: a society where all were seers could live even more fully. But a society where the mass is still simple and the seers are no longer attended to can achieve only superficiality, baseness, ugliness, and in the end extinction. On or back we must go; to stay here is death.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis, 1946
Society thrives when many pursue wisdom rather than blindly follow a few elites; stagnation leads to decay.
In simple terms: Wisdom for all beats a few ruling the many.
Encourage collective learning and critical thinking.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- education reform
- community discussions
- leadership training
- public policy
- personal development
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we foster a culture where everyone seeks wisdom?
- What barriers prevent the many from becoming 'seers'?
If only a few hold wisdom, the masses may resist or misinterpret it.