Nearly all that we call human history—money, poverty, ambition, war, prostitution, classes, empires, slavery—[is] the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy.

About C. S. Lewis

Clive Staples Lewis (29 November 1898 – 22 November 1963) was a British author, literary scholar and Anglican lay theologian. He held academic positions in English literature at both Magdalen College, Oxford (1925–1954), and Magdalene College, Cambridge (1954–1963). He is best known as the author of The Chronicles of Narnia,...

More quotations from C. S. Lewis

Crying is all right in its own way while it lasts. But you have to stop sooner or later, and then you still have to decide what to do.

—C. S. Lewis

Miracles do not, in fact, break the laws of nature.

—C. S. Lewis

nature miracles

We are what we believe we are.

—C. S. Lewis

Mortal lovers must not try to remain at the first step; for lasting passion is the dream of a harlot and from it we wake in despair.

—C. S. Lewis

sex

Don't use words too big for the subject. Don't say 'infinitely' when you mean 'very'; otherwise you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite.

—C. S. Lewis

writing

History

27 Sep 2016 Added
26 Oct 2026 Wording changed

Previous wording

Nearly all that we call human history — money, poverty, ambition, war, prostitution, classes, empires, slavery — [is] the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy.