Quote by C.S. Lewis
You can be good for the mere sake of goodness; you cannot be bad for the mere sake of badness. You can do a kind action when you are not feeling kind and when it gives you no pleasure, simply because kindness is right; but no one ever did a cruel action simply because cruelty is wrong - only because cruelty is pleasant or useful to him, In other words, badness cannot succeed even in being bad in the same way in which goodness is good. Goodness is, so to speak, itself: badness is only spoiled goodness. And there must be something good first before it can be spoiled.
Summary
This quote explains the inherent nature of goodness and badness. It emphasizes that goodness can be pursued solely for the sake of being good, even when one doesn't feel inclined or derive pleasure from it. However, one cannot pursue badness purely for the sake of being bad; it is often driven by personal pleasure or utility. The quote suggests that goodness exists as a fundamental quality, while badness is simply the corruption or negation of goodness. In order to be bad, there must first be something good that is being tarnished.
By C.S. Lewis
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