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About this quote

What does it mean?
Mocking evil or negativity is effective when reasoning fails.
In plain terms
If you can't reason with trouble, mock it instead.
What can you take from it?
Use humor or scorn to dismiss things that won't listen to reason.

Where it applies

  • facing criticism
  • dealing with bullies
  • overcoming fear

Putting it to work

  • don't take negativity seriously
  • use wit to deflect

Questions to consider

  • When does humor work better than logic?
  • How do you handle things that won't listen?

Another view

This might escalate conflict rather than resolve it.

More from C. S. Lewis

  1. If there is equality, it is in His love, not in us.

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  2. The devil...the prowde spirit...cannot endure to be mocked.

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  3. 'A pleasure is full grown only when it is remembered. You are speaking, Hman, as if the pleasure were one thing and the memory another. It is all one thing. Th…

    Permalink to quote #182

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