Behave Quote by C. S. Lewis
“These, then, are the two points I wanted to make. First, that human beings, all over the earth, have this curious idea that they ought to behave in a certain way, and cannot really get rid of it. Secondly, that they do not in fact behave in that way. They know the Law of Nature; they break it. These two facts are the foundation of all clear thinking about ourselves and the universe we live in.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Screwtape Letters, 1942
Humans instinctively think they must follow a moral code yet consistently violate it, highlighting a paradox of self‑knowledge.
In simple terms: People know rules but break them, showing a mental conflict.
Key Takeaway
Align actions with acknowledged principles.
Themes
morality
human nature
self‑deception
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- personal ethics
- lawmaking
- education
- environmental policy
Key Concepts
philosophy
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we repeat known mistakes?
- Can we reconcile knowledge and behavior?
A Different Perspective
Awareness of the paradox doesn’t guarantee compliance.
![“[The aim of science is] to explain what so far has taken to be an explicans, such as a law of nature. The task of empirical science constantly renews itself. We may go on forever, proceeding to explanations of a higher and higher universality...” quote by Karl Popper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f4e/karl-popper-2167_aim_the-aim-of-science-is-to-explain-what-so_121944.jpg)
