“If you look for truth, you may find comfort in the end; if you look for comfort you will not get either comfort or truth only soft soap and wishful thinking to begin, and in the end, despair.”
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
“If you look for truth, you may find comfort in the end; if you look for comfort you will not get either comfort or truth only soft soap and wishful thinking to begin, and in the end, despair.”
Explanation
In this quote, C. S. Lewis distinguishes between the pursuit of truth and the desire for comfort, suggesting that while searching for truth might be difficult or unsettling in the short term, it can ultimately bring genuine peace and comfort. On the other hand, if one’s primary aim is to seek comfort alone—avoiding uncomfortable truths or facing difficult realities—then the result will be deception and disappointment. Lewis warns that wishful thinking and soft reassurances may offer momentary relief, but they are ultimately shallow and unsatisfying. In the end, the person who seeks only comfort will face despair when they realize that the false hope they clung to cannot provide the lasting fulfillment or truth they need. For Lewis, truth, though sometimes difficult or painful, is the foundation of real peace and comfort, whereas the pursuit of only comfort leads to an eventual reckoning with the emptiness of falsehood.
Historically, Lewis was deeply committed to the idea that truth—especially as it pertains to Christianity—is the ultimate source of real comfort, even though it may initially challenge or discomfort us. He believed that many people were often too focused on self-satisfaction or immediate relief and that this desire for comfort could cloud their ability to face the realities of life, particularly in the spiritual sense. In his writings, especially in works like Mere Christianity and The Problem of Pain, Lewis encourages readers to embrace truth, however difficult, because it leads to lasting hope and meaning, while the pursuit of temporary comfort only leads to a shallow existence.
In the modern context, this quote challenges the common cultural trend of seeking immediate gratification or easy answers—whether through self-help philosophies, escapist entertainment, or superficial beliefs. Lewis’s insight invites us to consider the long-term consequences of avoiding difficult truths in favor of false comforts. While facing truth can be uncomfortable, it ultimately leads to a more meaningful and grounded life, one rooted in reality rather than in the fleeting satisfaction of wishful thinking. This is especially relevant in an age where people often seek comfort in things that don’t require them to confront their deepest fears, doubts, or moral challenges, but true peace and growth come from the courage to face life as it truly is.
