Justice and power must be brought together, so that whatever is just may be powerful, and whatever is powerful may be just.
Blaise PascalRead
I am in the utmost perplexity, yand have wished a hundred times, that if there is a A God, nature would manifest him without ambiguity, and that if there is not, every imaginary sign of his existence might vanish : in short, let nature speak distinctly, or be totally silent, and I shall know what course to take.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Pascal expresses a desire for clear evidence of God's existence or absence, emphasizing the need for certainty in life.
In this quote, Blaise Pascal articulates his profound ambivalence regarding the existence of God and the nature of reality. He yearns for a definitive manifestation of divine presence or the complete absence of any signs of such existence. Pascal's expression of 'utmost perplexity' reflects a common human struggle with faith, uncertainty, and the quest for truth, demonstrating the tension between belief and skepticism. Ultimately, he seeks clarity from nature itself, suggesting that without unambiguous signs, one is left to navigate the uncertainties of existence.
Themes
GodNatureCertaintyExistencePerplexity
In practice
Example use cases
In a philosophical debate about the existence of God, this quote can help underscore the need for clear evidence.
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.
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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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