“It may be hard for an egg to turn into a bird: it would be a jolly sight harder for it to learn to fly while remaining an egg. We are like eggs at present. And you cannot go on indefinitely being just an ordinary, decent egg. We must be hatched or go bad.”
Image credits：Aronsyne,”Lewis, age 48″,CC BY-SA 4.0,C.S.-Lewis – C. S. Lewis – Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- November 29, 1898 – November 22, 1963
- Born in Ireland
- Writer, scholar
- Had a major influence on fantasy literature and religious thought through his many works, including the Chronicles of Narnia series and The Poetics of Christianity
Quote
“It may be hard for an egg to turn into a bird: it would be a jolly sight harder for it to learn to fly while remaining an egg. We are like eggs at present. And you cannot go on indefinitely being just an ordinary, decent egg. We must be hatched or go bad.”
Explanation
In this quote, C. S. Lewis uses the metaphor of an egg turning into a bird to describe the transformation required for spiritual growth and self-realization. He suggests that, like an egg, we are in a state of potential, but for that potential to be realized, we must undergo a profound change—a spiritual birth or awakening. Simply remaining the same, “ordinary, decent egg” without progressing or changing is insufficient. Lewis’s point is that stagnation in life or faith is not an option: we must either evolve into something greater or risk becoming spiritually stagnant and “go bad.” The process of being “hatched” represents the idea that growth and transformation are essential to our spiritual journey, and it is only through change—embracing a new way of living, thinking, or being—that we can fully live up to our true potential.
Historically, this reflects Lewis’s Christian understanding of the need for spiritual regeneration. In works like Mere Christianity, he emphasizes the necessity of becoming more than just morally decent people—we need to be transformed by grace, experiencing a change that allows us to fully live out our Christian calling. Lewis was often concerned that people were too comfortable with being merely “good” in a worldly sense, without recognizing that true goodness and fulfillment come through a deeper, more radical transformation that only God can bring about. The “hatching” process, therefore, symbolizes the spiritual awakening that leads us into a life that is dynamic, full of growth, and aligned with God’s purpose.
In the modern context, this quote serves as a challenge to those who may feel content with simply being “decent” or “ordinary” in their lives, whether in a moral or spiritual sense. Lewis reminds us that growth is a process of constant evolution, whether through faith, personal development, or even social and emotional growth. Stagnation, especially in a world filled with distractions and a culture that often encourages complacency, is not an option for those who want to live meaningful lives. This idea invites individuals to pursue growth and transformation, recognizing that true fulfillment comes not from remaining in comfort, but from embracing change, facing challenges, and ultimately becoming the person we are meant to be.
