Books Quote by C.S. Lewis
““The man who is contented to be only himself, and therefore less a self, is in prison. My own eyes are not enough for me, I will see through those of others. Reality, even seen through the eyes of many, is not enough. I will see what others have invented. Even the eyes of all humanity are not enough. I regret that the brutes connot write books. Very gladly would I learn what face things present to a mouse or a bee; more gladly still would I perceive the olfactory world charged with all the information and emotion it carries for a dog. Literary experience heals the wound, without undermining the privilege, of individuality... in reading great literature I become a thousand men and yet remain myself. Like the night sky in the Greek poem, I see with a myriad of eyes, but it is still I who see. Here, as in worship, in love, in moral action, and in knowing, I transcend myself; and am never more myself than when I do.””
About This Quote
The passage reflects on the limits of personal perception, the desire to experience the world through many senses and perspectives, and how literature expands identity while preserving self.
In simple terms: Reading lets us experience many lives, yet we remain ourselves.
Key Takeaway
Embrace diverse perspectives through literature while staying true to self.
Themes
identity
perspective
literature
empathy
transcendence
Mood
thoughtful
inspired
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- reading
- creative writing
- philosophical contemplation
Key Concepts
multisensory perception
collective experience
self‑expansion
Questions to Reflect On
- How does reading change your sense of self?
- What senses do you wish literature could convey?
A Different Perspective
Literature may not fully capture all senses, leaving gaps.
