Editing Mere Christianity (section)

=== Christian Behaviour ===

The next third of the book explores the [[ethics]] resulting from Christian belief. He cites the four [[cardinal virtues]]: [[prudence]], [[justice]], [[Temperance (virtue)|temperance]], and [[Courage|fortitude]]. After touching on these, he goes into the three [[theological virtues]]: [[Hope (virtue)|hope]], [[Faith in Christianity|faith]], and [[Charity (Christian virtue)|charity]]. Lewis also explains morality as being composed of three ''layers'': relationships between man and man, the motivations and attitudes of the man himself, and contrasting worldviews.

Lewis also covers such topics as [[social relations]] and forgiveness, [[sexual ethics]] and the tenets of Christian marriage, and the relationship between morality and [[psychoanalysis]]. He also writes about ''the great sin'': pride, which he argues to be the root cause of all evil and rebellion.

His most important point is that Christianity mandates that one "love your neighbour as yourself." He points out that all persons unconditionally love themselves. Even if one does not ''like'' oneself, one would still love oneself. Christians, he writes, must also apply this attitude to others, even if they do not like them. Lewis calls this one of the ''great secrets'': when one acts as if he loves others, he will presently come to love them.