C.S. Lewis on Tyranny “for the Good” of Its Victims
By David J. Theroux • Thursday January 29, 2009 5:37 PM PDT • 11 Comments
Following up on Anthony Gregory‘s recent posting, “A Caring State is a Controlling State,” the following incisive words from C.S. Lewis are noteworthy:
If we are to be mothered, mother must know best. . . . In every age the men who want us under their thumb, if they have any sense, will put forward the particular pretension which the hopes and fears of that age render most potent. They ‘cash in.’ It has been magic, it has been Christianity. Now it will certainly be science. . . . Let us not be deceived by phrases about ‘Man taking charge of his own destiny.’ All that can really happen is that some men will take charge of the destiny of others. . . . The more completely we are planned the more powerful they will be.
. . . .Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron’s cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience. They may be more likely to go to Heaven yet at the same time likelier to make a Hell of earth. Their very kindness stings with intolerable insult. To be ‘cured’ against one’s will and cured of states which we may not regard as disease is to be put on a level of those who have not yet reached the age of reason or those who never will; to be classed with infants, imbeciles, and domestic animals.
—C. S. Lewis, God in the Dock
Also, please see from The Independent Review Robert Higgs‘s superb article, “We’re All Sick and Government Must Heal Us,” as well as “Health Insurance before the Welfare State: The Destruction of Self-Help by State Intervention,” by Pavel Chalupníček and Lukáš Dvořák.
Tags: Fascism, Personal Liberty, Religion, The State, Utilitarianism, Welfare 
I already had part of this quote in my favorite quotes notebook. Thanks for the full quote. Lewis had many more interesting things to say about the dangers of socialism and dystopian futures that would naturally arise with the implementation of utopian visions. Two of his works address this quite well: The Abolition of Man and That Hideous Strength.
RickC | Jan 29, 2009 | Reply
I apply principles of golf to nearly all elements of life. The one I’ve found most apt whether it is leadership in a corporation or a country is simply this: The grip on the club must be enough to hold the club from slipping but not so tight that the rest of the body can’t effect the swing smoothly. Too many white knuckles on the grip won’t get us very far.
Michael Miles | Jan 30, 2009 | Reply
Has anyone ever read Mere Christianity? C. S. Lewis dissects human nature down to the core here and you may agree or you may argue, but it’s definitely worth the read. Never thought of kindness and caring as controlling, but he makes a good point. Mothers know best and if we follow mother, our destiny is controlled, but not necessarily hers. But the real question is, should we allow our governments to have all the power? Is that what’s best?
Kavinace Guy | Nov 5, 2010 | Reply
Do you believe you control your own destiny?
Kavinace Guy | Nov 5, 2010 | Reply
Good point but we need to be careful that we do not mix up nurturing and loving with forcing and dominating. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the teaching of agency. We have a choice to follow Christ or go the other way. Let’s make sure we are dissecting the right thing.
Stan | Dec 14, 2010 | Reply
I have always seen part of that quote “Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive.” But, this is probably the first time I have read the whole thing.
I really thought Lewis had insight when he said “Their very kindness stings with intolerable insult.”
That is exactly how I feel when politicians decide what is “best” for me, denying me the choice to exercise freedom.
I love it when they claim that this time is different. They just need to take more taxes today because this time it really does matter. It is for your own benefit afterall. :-)
Terry Pearson | Oct 3, 2011 | Reply