Justice and power must be brought together, so that whatever is just may be powerful, and whatever is powerful may be just.
Blaise PascalRead
If magistrates had true justice, and if physicians had the true art of healing, they would have no occasion for square caps; the majesty of these sciences would itself be venerable enough.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True mastery in justice and healing should be respected without the need for symbols of authority.
In this quote, Pascal suggests that if those in positions of power, such as judges and doctors, truly embodied the virtues of their roles—justice and healing—they would not require superficial trappings like square caps to convey their authority. The essence of their professions would command respect and reverence on its own, highlighting that true skills and values are more important than symbolic representations.
Themes
JusticeHealingWisdomAuthorityRespect
In practice
Example use cases
In a graduation speech, one might use this quote to emphasize the importance of integrity in professions.
More from Blaise Pascal
All quotes →If 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.
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Those are weaklings who know the truth and uphold it as long as it suits their purpose, and then abandon it.
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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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