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 our condition were truly happy, we would not seek diversion from it in order to make ourselves happy.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True happiness should come from within, rather than from distractions or diversions.
Blaise Pascal suggests that if we were genuinely content with our circumstances, we would not need to seek external distractions to experience happiness. This quote provokes reflection on the nature of happiness and the common human tendency to look for fulfillment outside of oneself.
Themes
HappinessContentmentSelf-ReflectionPhilosophyDiversion
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be shared during a motivational speech about finding true happiness.
More from Blaise Pascal
All quotes βIf 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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