--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We may legitimately hope that among the…" description: "\"“We may legitimately hope that among the impulses which arise in minds thus emptied of all ‘rational’ or ‘spiritual’ motives, some will be benevolent. ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/694/c-s-lewis-121_character_we-may-legitimately-hope-that-among-the_1247339.jpg" --- # We may legitimately hope that among the impulses which… ![“We may legitimately hope that among the impulses which arise in minds thus emptied of all ‘rational’ or ‘spiritual’ motives, some will be benevolent. I am very doubtful myself whether the benevolent impulses, stripped of that preference and encouragement which the Tao teaches us to give them and…” quote by C.S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/694/c-s-lewis-121_character_we-may-legitimately-hope-that-among-the_1247339.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/694/c-s-lewis-121_character_we-may-legitimately-hope-that-among-the_1247339.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/694/c-s-lewis-121_character_we-may-legitimately-hope-that-among-the_1247339.jpg) > ““We may legitimately hope that among the impulses which arise in minds thus emptied of all ‘rational’ or ‘spiritual’ motives, some will be benevolent. I am very doubtful myself whether the benevolent impulses, stripped of that preference and encouragement which the Tao teaches us to give them and left to their merely natural strength and frequency as psychological events, will have much influence. I am very doubtful whether history shows us one example of a man who, having stepped outside traditional morality and attained power, has used that power benevolently.”” [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. The author doubts that pure benevolence can survive without cultural reinforcement and that power holders will act kindly without moral constraints. **In simple terms:** Benevolence may need moral support and power often corrupts. Key Takeaway Expect moral guidance and checks on power. Themes morality power human nature Mood cautious reflective Type critical philosophical When to use this quote - political leadership - corporate governance - personal ethics - social policy Key Concepts philosophy ethics psychology Questions to Reflect On - Can institutions foster genuine benevolence? - What safeguards prevent power abuse? A Different Perspective Even with good intentions, selfish motives can dominate when unchecked. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) ## Related quotes > [“When all that says 'it is good' has been debunked, what says 'I want' remains. (...) The Conditioners, therefore, must come to be motivated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis-2/when-all-that-says-it-is-good-has-been-debunked-what-says-i-want/) [C.S. 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