Very Interesting
Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would 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.
— C. S. Lewis
Comments
Mykala
Interesting.
Nils
What does Lewis mean in his usage of the word “good?” Does he mean that the tormentor believes that they are acting on behalf of the tormented’s best interests or merely that the tormented deserves incessant tormenting?
Alexander Micek
I think Lewis means the former, that the tormentors act with the delusion that they are bringing about good in the victim’s life.