Scholar, storyteller, and seeker of wisdom, C. S. Lewis thought deeply about faith, doubt, grief, and joy. Once, reflecting on his journey from atheism to belief, he wrote: “My argument against God was that the universe seemed unjust. But how had I got this idea of just and unjust? A man does not call a line crooked unless he has some idea of a straight line.” In his honest wrestling, Lewis invites us to think with clarity, feel with depth, and trust that our longing for what is true and straight is no accident.

The next best thing to being wise oneself is to live in a circle of those who are.

There seems no plan because it’s all plan. There seems no center because it’s all center.

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.

Suspicion often creates what it suspects. Screwtape Letters

The problem with trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. Screwtape Letters

Everywhere, except in theology, there has been a vigorous growth of skepticism about skepticism itself. Quotable Lewis

I don’t pray to change God. I pray to change me. Screwtape Letters

Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements.

Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: “What! You, too? Thought I was the only one.”

Talk to me about the truth of religion and I’ll listen gladly. Talk to me about the duty of religion and I’ll listen submissively. But don’t come talking to me about the consolations of religion or I shall suspect that you don’t understand.

Why love if losing hurts so much? We love to know that we are not alone. A Grief Observed

I sometimes wonder whether all pleasures are not substitutes for joy. Surprised by Joy

Reality is harsh to the feet of shadows. But will you come? The Great Divorce