I finally got around to finishing the Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis, here is a summarized collection of quotes, and some interjected thoughts from myself. The book itself details the relationship of a demon and a father demon (satan?), tormenting a human subject. Throughout you can’t help but finding yourself relating to the tactics of the devil to overcome man. The ultimate destination for any human subject is death. And I think the greatest fear of hell, at least for myself is an absence from God. Complete isolation.
“The first and most obvious advantage is that you thus induce him to enthrone at the center of his life a good, solid resounding lie” -cs lewis
(In my case inferiority. Jealousy, hatred, disgust, envy, pride etc.)
“The claim to equality, outside of the strictly political field, is made only by those who feel themselves to be in some way inferior.” -cs lewis
“What it expresses is precisely the itching, smarting, writhing awareness of an inferiority which the patient refuses to accept. And therefore resents. Yes, and therefore resents every kind of superiority in others; denigrates it: wishes its annihilation. Presently he suspects every mere difference of being a claim to to superiority. No one must be different from himself in voice, clothes, manners, recreations, choice of food.” -cs lewis
(I have this resentment towards others who I believe to be inferior to myself, who in regards to economic gain and social affiliation are far superior than myself.)
“Now this useful phenomenon is in itself by no means new. Under the name of Envy it has been know to humans for thousands of years.”
-cs lewis
“Under the influence of this incantation those who are in any or every way inferior can labor more wholeheartedly and successfully than ever before to pull down everyone else to their own level” -cs lewis
I try so hard to meet the expectations of others, and I in myself am unable to achieve the desired goal, because in of myself I can do nothing successfully outside of the grace of God.
