Whatever their bodies do affects their souls. It is funny how mortals always picture us as putting things into their minds: in reality our best work is done by keeping things out...
In C.S. Lewis's "The Screwtape Letters," the relationship between the body and soul is emphasized, suggesting that physical actions have profound impacts on one's spiritual state. The text humorously critiques how humans often envision malevolent forces as manipulating thoughts directly, while the reality is that the greatest influence comes from preventing certain thoughts and feelings from entering consciousness. The quote highlights an important dynamic of temptation and moral struggle. It implies that the subtlety of influence often lies in what is withheld rather than what is imposed, suggesting that maintaining purity of thought can be as challenging as resisting direct temptation. Thus, the management of one's thoughts is crucial for spiritual well-being.
