Justice and power must be brought together, so that whatever is just may be powerful, and whatever is powerful may be just.
Blaise PascalRead
The finite is annihilated in the presence of the infinite, and becomes a pure nothing. So our spirit before God, so our justice before divine justice.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Pascal suggests that human limitations fade when faced with the infinite nature of God and divine justice.
In this quote, Blaise Pascal conveys the idea that all finite human existence and achievements are rendered insignificant when confronted with the infinite nature of God. He draws a parallel between our spirits and the concept of divine justice, emphasizing that human notions of justice are inadequate compared to the absolute justice of God, which brings a humbling perspective to our existence and moral frameworks.
Themes
InfiniteDivineJusticeSpiritHumanity
In practice
Example use cases
In a sermon about humility before God, this quote can illustrate our smallness compared to the divine.
More from Blaise Pascal
All quotes βIf we submit everything to reason our religion will be left with nothing mysterious or supernatural. If we offend the principles of reason our religion will be absurd and ridiculous . . . There are two equally dangerous extremes: to exclude reason, to admit nothing but reason.
Blaise PascalRead
Those are weaklings who know the truth and uphold it as long as it suits their purpose, and then abandon it.
Blaise PascalRead
Jesus is the God whom we can approach without pride and before whom we can humble ourselves without despair.
Blaise PascalRead
If he exalts himself, I humble him. If he humbles himself, I exalt him. And I go on contradicting him Until he understands That he is a monster that passes all understanding.
Blaise PascalRead
What use is it to us to hear it said of a man that he has thrown off the yoke that he does not believe there is a God to watch over his actions, that he reckons himself the sole master of his behavior, and that he does not intend to give an account of it to anyone but himself?
Blaise PascalRead
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