Justice and power must be brought together, so that whatever is just may be powerful, and whatever is powerful may be just.
Blaise PascalRead
There are some who speak well and write badly. For the place and the audience warm them, and draw from their minds more than they think of without that warmth.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Good speaking and writing depend heavily on the context and audience, which can inspire individuals to articulate better.
In this quote, Blaise Pascal emphasizes that the effectiveness of communication—whether spoken or written—is often influenced by the environment and audience. Warmth from the setting and receptiveness of those listening or reading can unlock deeper insights and expressions from individuals, allowing them to convey messages more eloquently and thoroughly than they might otherwise achieve in a more sterile or uninspiring context.
Themes
CommunicationAudienceExpressionWritingSpeaking
In practice
Example use cases
In a public speaking course, this quote could inspire participants to consider how their environment influences their delivery.
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.
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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If we were meant to talk more than listen, we would have two mouths and one ear.
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If we go on explaining we shall cease to understand one another.
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All communication involves faith; indeed, some linguisticians hold that the potential obstacles to acts of verbal understanding are so many and diverse that it is a minor miracle that they take place at all.
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