8 C. S. Lewis Quotes on Leadership

C. S. Lewis quotes on leadership

105. 'Is he safe?' 'Safe?' said Mr. Beaver... 'Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you.'

112. Once a King or Queen in Narnia, always a King or Queen in Narnia. (ch. 17)

123. 'If your Majesty is ever to use the Horn,' said Trufflehunter, 'I think the time has now come.' Caspian had of course told them of his treasure several days ago. 'We are certainly in great need,' answered Caspian. 'But it is hard to be sure we are at our greatest. Supposing there came an even worse need and we had already used it?' 'By that argument,' said Nikabrik, 'your Majesty will never use it until it is too late.' 'I agree with that,' said Doctor Cornelius. 'And what do you think, Trumpkin?' asked Caspian. 'Oh, as for me,' said the Red Dwarf, who had been listening with complete indifference, 'your Majesty knows I think the Horn - and that bit of broken stone over there and your great King Peter - and your Lion Aslan - are all eggs in moonshine. It's all one to me when your Majesty blows the Horn. All I insist on is that the army is told nothing about it. There's no good raising hopes of magical help which (as I think) are sure to be disappointed.'

124. But I thought you didn't believe in the Horn, Trumpkin, said Caspian. No more I do, your Majesty. But what does that got to do with it? I might as well die on a wild goose chase as die here. You are my King. 'I know the difference between giving advice and giving orders. You have my advice and now it's the time for orders'

127. 'Sire,' said Reepicheep [the chief mouse]. 'My life is ever at your command, but my honour is my own. Sire, I have among my people the only trumpeter in your Majesty's army. I had thought, perhaps, we might have been sent with the challenge [to single combat between the High King Peter and King Miraz]. Sire, my people are grieved. Perhaps if it were your pleasure that I should be a marshal of the lists, it would content them.' [...] - 'I am afraid it would not do,' said Peter very gravely. 'Some humans are afraid of mice - ' - 'I have observed it, Sire,' said Reepicheep. - 'And it would not be quite fair to Miraz,' Peter continued, 'to have in sight anything that might abate the edge of his courage.' - 'Your Majesty is the mirror of honor,' said the Mouse with one of his admirable bows.

129. 'Welcome, Prince,' said Aslan. 'Do you feel yourself sufficient to take up the Kingship of Narnia?' 'I - I don't think I do, Sir,' said Caspian. 'I'm only a kid.' 'Good,' said Aslan. 'If you had felt yourself sufficient, it would have been a proof that you were not. ...'

143. 'Do you grow weary, Coriakin, of ruling such foolish subjects as I have given you here?' [Aslan asked.] - 'No,' said the Magician, 'they are very stupid but there is no real harm in them. I begin to grow rather fond of the creatures. Sometimes, perhaps, I am a little impatient, waiting for the day when they can be governed by wisdom instead of this rough magic.' - 'All in good time, Coriakin,' said Aslan. - 'Yes, all in very good time, Sir,' was the answer. (ch. 11)

145. 'Of course I could turn him [the Chief Duffer] into something else, or even put a spell on him which would make them not believe a word he said. But I don't like to do that. It's better for them to admire him than to admire nobody.' (ch. 11)