Quote by C.S. Lewis

We are afraid that Heaven is a bribe, and that if we make it our goal we shall no longer be disinterested. It is not so. Heaven offers nothing that the mercenary soul can desire. It is safe to tell the pure in heart that they shall see God, for only the pure in heart want to. There are rewards that do not sully motives. A man's love for a woman is not mercenary because he wants to marry her, nor his love for poetry mercenary because he wants to read it, nor his love of exercise less disinterested because he wants to run and leap and walk. Love, by definition, seeks to enjoy its object.

We are afraid that Heaven is a bribe, and that if we make it

Summary

This quote explains that the fear of Heaven being seen as a bribe is unfounded. The author argues that Heaven does not offer anything that appeals to a mercenary soul. They assert that it is acceptable to tell those with pure intentions that they will see God, as only the pure in heart truly desire such an experience. The author further explains that there are rewards that do not tarnish the motives behind them. They give the examples of love for a person, poetry, and exercise, showing that wanting to enjoy something does not necessarily make the love or desire selfish or motivated by personal gain.

By C.S. Lewis

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