C. S. Lewis Quotes

I'm just very interested in how we, as people, can live the right way.

The wicked are always surprised to find that the good can be clever.

Let me resolve to be virtuous, that I may be happy, that I may please Him, who is delighted to see me happy. Amen.

Nothing is gained except by sacrifice.... Do not degrade it to the level of the brutes.... Make yourselves decent men! ... Be chaste and pure! ... There is no other way. Did Christ find any other way?

Try to be all you can be to be the best human being you can be. Try to be that in your church, in your temple. Try to be that in your classroom. Do it because it is right to do.

To compose our character is our duty, not to compose books, and to win, not battles and provinces, but order and tranquility in our conduct. Our great and glorious masterpiece is to live appropriately. All other things, ruling, hoarding, building, are only little appendages and props, at most.

The real duty of man is not to extend his power or multiply his wealth beyond his needs, but to enrich and enjoy his imperishable possession: his soul.

If we live good lives, the times are also good. As we are, such are the times.

Perfection does not consist in any singular state or condition of life, or in any particular set of duties, but in holy and religious conduct of ourselves in every state of Life.

It's my job to try and be as good a person as I can, and that's enough work for me.

You don't become a saint until you lead a good life whether in Tibet or Italy or America.

Learn what is true in order to do what is right.

But whether it be dream or truth, to do well is what matters. If it be truth, for truth's sake. If not, then to gain friends for the time when we awaken.

If I am walking with two other men, each of them will serve as my teacher. I will pick out the good points of the one and imitate them, and the bad points of the other and correct them in myself.

Intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education.

What, pray, does it profit a man to teach others, and to be prating always about virtue, in high-sounding words, if he fails to give heed to his own instructions?

The virtue which we appreciate, we to some extent appropriate.

If you would be good, first believe that you are bad.

Never stop working on your statue until the divine glory of virtue shines out on you, until you see self-mastery enthroned upon its holy seat.

Watch your character for your character is your destiny.

Religion must be life made true; and life is action, growth, development - begun now and ending never. And a life made true cannot confine itself - it must reach out and twine around every pulsing interest within reach of its uplifting tendrils.

Thank God for giving you this world as a moral gymnasium to help your development, but never imagine you can help the world.

With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet, you're too smart to go down any not-so-good street.

If they are just, they are better than clever.

Follow the way of virtue. Follow the way joyfully through this world and on beyond.