Tyranny for the good of its victims - C.S. Lewis

[jstaylor62]

Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron’s cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience. They may be more likely to go to Heaven yet at the same time likelier to make a Hell of earth. Their very kindness stings with intolerable insult. To be ‘cured’ against one’s will and cured of states which we may not regard as disease is to be put on a level of those who have not yet reached the age of reason or those who never will; to be classed with infants, imbeciles, and domestic animals.

—C. S. Lewis

 

[okla1911]

Very eloquently stated. Summed up....why do some folks think they know better for me than I do for myself? Because they truely believe life will be better for all if they get to make choices for me.

 

[10Seconds]

Very eloquently stated. Summed up....why do some folks think they know better for me than I do for myself? Because they truely believe life will be better for all if they get to make choices for me.

Well, there ARE folks who I have certainly thought that about before too! LOL!

In reality, people are so used to accepting the nanny state, they have overlook it without a second thought now: Seat belt laws, helmet laws, drinking and smoking laws, when you can buy or sell alcohol or cars, etc.

If you can learn to accept the little 'tyrannies' then maybe you wont notice when real Tyranny shows up.

 

[sh00ter]

What i "think" we have going on here is a Libertarian person quoting a Liberal person (who most likely had it out for religion)...First let me say that most mainstream religious people that i know have a similar outlook to mainstream Libertarians...that is, freedom is good as long as you are not hurting other people...and then a dash of, "you gotta draw the line somewhere"...so say, abortion (especially when the baby is killed OUTSIDE the womb http://www.bornalivetruth.org/index.php https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNbp2-Tm9z4 like 0bummer and liberals like to see happen), is looked down upon because it hurts an innocent person...likewise, animal sex is illegal because a decent society simply can't allow such things or it will cease to exist in a generation or two...otherwise, most mainstream religious people I know are not trying to control people in a way that CS Lewis describes as many atheists like to do, that is describe a big bad theocratic boogy man and often fear passive Christians while kissing the butts of fundamentalist muslims...

So in response to your well-intended quote that is masked in such a way perhaps that some who might speak out in support may not pick up on its true meaning, I'd like to submit a few counter quotes:

"Human rights can only be assured among a virtuous people. The general government . . . can never be in danger of degenerating into a monarchy, an oligarchy, an aristocracy, or any despotic or oppressive form so long as there is any virtue in the body of the people."
George Washington

"Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become more corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters."
Benjamin Franklin

"Laws without morals are in vain."
Benjamin Franklin

 

[Wheel Gun]

But . . . but . . . you GET A FREE PHONE! Why is this so hard to understand?!

 

[steelhorse]

Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron’s cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience. They may be more likely to go to Heaven yet at the same time likelier to make a Hell of earth. Their very kindness stings with intolerable insult. To be ‘cured’ against one’s will and cured of states which we may not regard as disease is to be put on a level of those who have not yet reached the age of reason or those who never will; to be classed with infants, imbeciles, and domestic animals.

-C. S. Lewis

One of my all time favorites. Thanks for posting.

 

[sh00ter]

But . . . but . . . you GET A FREE PHONE! Why is this so hard to understand?!

nahhh even she got cold feet about him LOL

http://nation.foxnews.com/obama-pho...one-lady-says-darn-sure-wont-vote-obama-again

 

[Werewolf]

Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron’s cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience. They may be more likely to go to Heaven yet at the same time likelier to make a Hell of earth. Their very kindness stings with intolerable insult. To be ‘cured’ against one’s will and cured of states which we may not regard as disease is to be put on a level of those who have not yet reached the age of reason or those who never will; to be classed with infants, imbeciles, and domestic animals.

-C. S. Lewis

A perfect description of why the obamanation, who is a true believer, is so, so very dangerous.

 

[mons meg]

What i "think" we have going on here is a Libertarian person quoting a Liberal person (who most likely had it out for religion)...

Ok, stop right there for a minute. Are you saying C.S. LEWIS "most likely had it out for religion" and was a liberal???

 

[bettingpython]

Ok, stop right there for a minute. Are you saying C.S. LEWIS "most likely had it out for religion" and was a liberal???

You read my mind.