--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We don't use the words begetting or…" description: "\"“We don't use the words begetting or begotten much in modern English, but everyone still knows what they mean. To beget is to become the father of: to ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c6/c-s-lewis-121_quote_we-don-t-use-the-words-begetting-or-bego_1617725.jpg" --- # We don't use the words begetting or begotten much in… ![“We don't use the words begetting or begotten much in modern English, but everyone still knows what they mean. To beget is to become the father of: to create is to make. And the difference is this. When you beget, you beget something o the same kind as yourself. A man begets human babies, a beaver…” quote by C.S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c6/c-s-lewis-121_quote_we-don-t-use-the-words-begetting-or-bego_1617725.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c6/c-s-lewis-121_quote_we-don-t-use-the-words-begetting-or-bego_1617725.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c6/c-s-lewis-121_quote_we-don-t-use-the-words-begetting-or-bego_1617725.jpg) > ““We don't use the words begetting or begotten much in modern English, but everyone still knows what they mean. To beget is to become the father of: to create is to make. And the difference is this. When you beget, you beget something o the same kind as yourself. A man begets human babies, a beaver begets little beavers and a bird begets eggs which turn into little birds. But when you make, you make something of a different kind from yourself. A bird makes a nest, a beaver builds a dam, a man makes a wireless set – or he may make something more like himself than a wireless set: say, a statue. If he is clever enough carver he may make a statue which is very like man indeed. But, of course, it is not a ream man; it only looks like one. It cannot breathe or think. It is not alive. Now that is the first thing to get clear. What God begets is God; just as what man begets is man. What God creates is not God; just as what man makes is not man. That is why men are not Son's of God in the sense that Christ is. They may be like God in certain ways, but they are not things of the same kind. They are more like statues or pictures of God.”” [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. Distinguishes between natural reproduction (begetting) and artificial creation (making), emphasizing that creations differ fundamentally from their creators. **In simple terms:** Begetting copies; making creates something different. Key Takeaway Recognize limits of human creation. Themes theology philosophy creativity Mood contemplative serious Type theoretical explanatory When to use this quote - parenthood - artistic work - technology development - spiritual reflection Key Concepts ontology anthropology theology Questions to Reflect On - What does it mean to "make" something that reflects you? - Can creation ever truly emulate its creator? A Different Perspective Human-made objects lack the living essence of their makers. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Modern english](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/modern-english/) ## Related quotes > [“They were talking more distantly than if they were strangers who had just met, for if they had been he would have been interested…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/they-were-talking-more-distantly-than-if-they-were-strangers-who-had/) [W. 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To beget is to become the father of: to create is to make. And the difference is this. When you beget, you beget something o the same kind as yourself. A man begets human babies, a beaver begets little beavers and a bird begets eggs which turn into little birds. But when you make, you make something of a different kind from yourself. A bird makes a nest, a beaver builds a dam, a man makes a wireless set – or he may make something more like himself than a wireless set: say, a statue. If he is clever enough carver he may make a statue which is very like man indeed. But, of course, it is not a ream man; it only looks like one. It cannot breathe or think. It is not alive. Now that is the first thing to get clear. What God begets is God; just as what man begets is man. What God creates is not God; just as what man makes is not man. That is why men are not Son's of God in the sense that Christ is. They may be like God in certain ways, but they are not things of the same kind. 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