Justice and power must be brought together, so that whatever is just may be powerful, and whatever is powerful may be just.
Blaise PascalRead
We view things not only from different sides, but with different eyes; we have no wish to find them alike.
Interpretation
People perceive the world in unique ways, influenced by their perspectives and experiences.
This quote by Blaise Pascal highlights the idea that human perception is inherently subjective. Each individual interprets reality based on their own experiences and viewpoints, leading to a rich diversity of opinions and understandings. Rather than striving for uniformity in perception, Pascal suggests that we embrace this diversity, acknowledging that differences in perspective can enrich our understanding of the world around us.
In practice
In a discussion about cultural differences in a sociology class.
Justice and power must be brought together, so that whatever is just may be powerful, and whatever is powerful may be just.
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.
Those are weaklings who know the truth and uphold it as long as it suits their purpose, and then abandon it.
Jesus is the God whom we can approach without pride and before whom we can humble ourselves without despair.
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.
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?
To the ego, the present moment hardly exists. Only past and future are considered important.
There is nothing wrapped in my turban but God.
To bring about destruction by overcrowding, mass starvation, anarchy, the destruction of our most cherished values, there is no need to do anything. We need only do nothing except what comes naturally, and breed. And how easy it is to do nothing
The dangers is that every religion, including the Catholic one, says "I have the ultimate truth." Then you start to rely on the priest, the mullah, the rabbi, or whoever, to be responsible for your acts. In fact, you are the only one who is responsible.
To turn water into wine, and what is common into what is holy, is indeed the glory of Christianity.
The future is neither ahead nor behind, on one side or another. Nor is it dark or light. It is contained within ourselves; its evil and good are perpetually within us.
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