“Has this world been so kind to you that you should leave with regret? There are better things ahead than any we leave behind.”
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
“Has this world been so kind to you that you should leave with regret? There are better things ahead than any we leave behind.”
Explanation
In this quote, C. S. Lewis challenges the idea of regret when facing change or departure, especially in the context of leaving this world. He asks whether the world has been so fulfilling or kind that one should feel sorrow about leaving it behind. Lewis then offers an optimistic perspective, suggesting that the future—whether in a literal sense, such as the afterlife, or in a metaphorical sense, such as the next phase of one’s journey—holds greater promises and better things than what we leave behind. The quote encourages an attitude of hope and trust that new beginnings will always offer something more fulfilling than the past, which, even in its best moments, cannot compare to the eternal good that lies ahead.
This sentiment aligns with Lewis’s Christian worldview, which often emphasizes the eternal joy and fulfillment that await those who follow Christ. In his writings, especially in works like The Great Divorce, Lewis explores the idea of transitioning from the earthly to the heavenly and stresses that the promise of heaven far surpasses anything that we can experience in this life. For Lewis, the hope of eternal life was not just a future escape but a promise of ultimate fulfillment and joy, making the temporary hardships or attachments of this world seem insignificant by comparison.
In the modern context, this quote speaks to the universal experience of change and loss—whether that means moving on from a relationship, a job, or a phase of life. In a world that often emphasizes attachment to the material and the present, Lewis’s words encourage a forward-looking perspective. Whether through spiritual faith, personal growth, or simply the understanding that life evolves, the quote inspires us to embrace the unknown with optimism, knowing that what lies ahead may bring greater fulfillment than what we leave behind.
