“Look for yourself, and you will find in the long run only hatred, loneliness, despair, rage, ruin, and decay. But look for Christ, and you will find Him, and with Him everything else thrown in.”
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
“Look for yourself, and you will find in the long run only hatred, loneliness, despair, rage, ruin, and decay. But look for Christ, and you will find Him, and with Him everything else thrown in.”
Explanation
In this quote, C. S. Lewis underscores the futility of seeking fulfillment in self-centered pursuits. According to Lewis, when a person focuses solely on their own desires, ambitions, or personal gain, they inevitably encounter negative emotions such as hatred, loneliness, despair, and ruin. The human tendency to self-obsess leads to spiritual emptiness, as it ignores the deeper, more meaningful connections that are found in something greater than oneself. By contrast, Lewis suggests that when we seek Christ, we not only encounter the transforming power of God but also gain access to the fullness of life—a life where everything that truly matters is added in: peace, joy, purpose, and connection.
Lewis’s words reflect his Christian belief that true fulfillment and meaning are found in following Christ rather than pursuing personal glory or material success. Historically, this insight mirrors Lewis’s own spiritual journey, where he experienced a shift from living a life focused on intellectualism and self-interest to one deeply rooted in faith and service. Through his conversion to Christianity, Lewis came to understand that self-denial in favor of a Christ-centered life opens up the way to the richest and most rewarding existence, one grounded in love and eternal purpose.
In the modern context, this quote challenges the prevailing culture of individualism and self-fulfillment, which often promises happiness through personal achievement or possession. In an age of consumerism, social media, and constant comparison, Lewis reminds us that true contentment and peace come not from self-focused pursuits, but from seeking something transcendent—in this case, Christ. The quote invites individuals to reorient their focus from self-centered goals toward a higher calling, finding that in doing so, everything else—relationships, purpose, and joy—falls into place.
