“History isn’t just the story of bad people doing bad things. It’s quite as much a story of people trying to do good things. But somehow, something goes wrong.”
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
“History isn’t just the story of bad people doing bad things. It’s quite as much a story of people trying to do good things. But somehow, something goes wrong.”
Explanation
In this quote, C. S. Lewis highlights the complexity of history and the human experience. He acknowledges that while there have certainly been evil actions throughout history, many of the most significant events in history are driven by people with the best of intentions—individuals or groups who are attempting to do good, to improve the world, or to create positive change. However, despite these noble intentions, something often goes wrong in the execution. This could be due to human error, misunderstanding, or the unforeseen consequences of well-meaning actions. Lewis suggests that this recurring pattern—where even good efforts can go astray—points to a deeper flaw in human nature or in the systems that we create to achieve our goals. It is not just the evil people who cause harm, but also the imperfect nature of even the best-intentioned efforts.
Historically, Lewis’s perspective on history reflects his Christian understanding of human fallibility. He believed that, even in our best efforts, human beings are deeply affected by sin—our inability to fully grasp the consequences of our actions, and the way good intentions can sometimes lead to harm. This idea is rooted in his broader theology, where humans, despite their desire to do good, are inherently flawed and in need of grace. Lewis often discussed how the imperfection of human systems and institutions, even those founded on moral or idealistic principles, can still lead to unintended consequences—something that he explored in both his non-fiction and his fictional works.
In the modern context, this quote resonates with the complexity of contemporary issues, where many global or societal problems arise not from deliberate malice but from misguided solutions or unintended side effects. Whether it’s political policies, corporate decisions, or social movements, even the best efforts to create a better world can go wrong due to the unforeseen consequences of those actions. Lewis’s insight reminds us to approach history and our own modern actions with humility, recognizing that even our noble endeavors can fail if not guided by wisdom and self-awareness. It encourages us to reflect on the need for both good intentions and wisdom in the pursuit of progress, acknowledging that true positive change requires careful thought and an awareness of the complexities of human nature.
