--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Come, what do we gain by evasions? We are…" description: "\"“Come, what do we gain by evasions? We are under the harrow and can’t escape. Reality, looked at steadily, is unbearable. And how or why did such a rea..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd6/c-s-lewis-121_consciousness_come-what-do-we-gain-by-evasions-we-are_3206557.jpg" --- # Come, what do we gain by evasions? We are under the harrow… ![“Come, what do we gain by evasions? We are under the harrow and can’t escape. Reality, looked at steadily, is unbearable. And how or why did such a reality blossom (or fester) here and there into the terrible phenomenon called consciousness? Why did it produce things like us who can see it and…” quote by C.S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd6/c-s-lewis-121_consciousness_come-what-do-we-gain-by-evasions-we-are_3206557.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd6/c-s-lewis-121_consciousness_come-what-do-we-gain-by-evasions-we-are_3206557.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd6/c-s-lewis-121_consciousness_come-what-do-we-gain-by-evasions-we-are_3206557.jpg) > ““Come, what do we gain by evasions? We are under the harrow and can’t escape. Reality, looked at steadily, is unbearable. And how or why did such a reality blossom (or fester) here and there into the terrible phenomenon called consciousness? Why did it produce things like us who can see it and, seeing it, recoil in loathing? Who (stranger still) want to see it and take pains to find it out, even when no need compels them and even though the sight of it makes an incurable ulcer in their hearts? People like H. herself, who would have truth at any price.”” [C.S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis-2/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human consciousness is a painful, unsettling reality that some pursue despite its anguish, seeking truth at any cost. **In simple terms:** People seek truth despite suffering. Key Takeaway Value truth over comfort. Themes philosophy existentialism consciousness truth seeking Mood melancholic introspective Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - personal crisis - intellectual pursuit - spiritual quest - creative writing Key Concepts meaning of life psychological exploration Questions to Reflect On - Why do we chase painful truths? - Can truth be harmful? A Different Perspective Truth may cause despair or alienation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Consciousness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consciousness/) [Escape reality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/escape-reality/) [Philosophy of Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-of-mind/) [Reality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reality/) ## Related quotes > [Reality, looked at steadily, is unbearable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/reality-looked-at-steadily-is-unbearable/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [“For Ashley was born of a line of men who used their leisure for thinking, not doing, for spinning brightly colored dreams that had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mitchell/for-ashley-was-born-of-a-line-of-men-who-used-their-leisure-for/) [Margaret Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mitchell/) > [Sometimes, some of us in some things we do know better. 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