Justice and power must be brought together, so that whatever is just may be powerful, and whatever is powerful may be just.
Blaise PascalRead
By a peculiar prerogative, not only each individual is making daily advances in the sciences, and may make advances in morality (which is the science, by way of eminence, of living well and being happy), but all mankind together is making a continual progress in proportion as the universe grows older. So that the whole human race, during the course of so many ages, may be considered as one man who never ceases to live and learn.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Humanity collectively grows in knowledge and morality over time, resembling a single individual learning throughout life.
In this quote, Blaise Pascal emphasizes the continuous growth of humanity in both scientific and moral dimensions as time progresses. He suggests that as the universe ages, all of mankind advances in knowledge and ethical understanding, akin to one individual who is perpetually learning and striving to live better and happier. This collective journey underscores the importance of knowledge and moral development in the pursuit of a fulfilling life.
Themes
GrowthKnowledgeMoralityHumanityLearning
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about the importance of education, one might quote Pascal to emphasize humanity's collective quest for knowledge.
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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