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 maintain that, if everyone knew what others said about him, there would not be four friends in the world.
Interpretation
What this quote means
People are often critical of each other, and if we were aware of these criticisms, it would strain friendships.
Blaise Pascal's quote suggests that the nature of human communication is often filled with judgment and negativity. If individuals were fully aware of the criticisms and negative opinions that others held about them, it could lead to a breakdown of trust and friendship, ultimately resulting in very few true friends remaining in the world. This highlights the complexity of human relationships and the need for understanding and acceptance among friends.
Themes
FriendshipTrustCommunicationCriticismUnderstanding
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech about the importance of trust in relationships.
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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Hear no ill of a friend, nor speak any of an enemy.
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