Really great moral teachers never do introduce new moralities: it is quacks and cranks who do that.
This quote suggests that truly exceptional moral teachers do not create new systems of morality. Instead, they work within existing moral structures and help others to understand, interpret, and apply these principles in more profound ways. These teachers don’t need to invent new rules or ethics because they believe that the core tenets of morality are timeless and universal.
The “quacks and cranks,” on the other hand, are those who claim to have discovered a new way of understanding morality or ethics. They often propose radical changes or revolutionary ideas about what is right or wrong. According to Lewis, these people are not credible sources of moral guidance because they rely on novelty rather than deep understanding.
In today’s world, this idea can be applied in many areas such as politics, personal development, religion etc., where we often see individuals presenting ‘new’ ideologies or philosophies as solutions to complex issues. Rather than being swayed by these novel ideas which may sound attractive due their freshness but lack depth and historical testing for validity; it would be wiser according to Lewis’s perspective -to adhere to well-established principles which have stood the test of time.
In terms of personal development too this principle holds true: instead of constantly seeking new self-help trends or quick-fix solutions for growth and improvement; focusing on fundamental values like honesty, integrity, hard work etc., can lead us towards sustained self-improvement over time.
This doesn’t mean we should reject all novel ideas outright but rather approach them with caution while giving due respect to established wisdom when it comes to matters as serious as our moral compass.
