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It is the fight alone that pleases us, not the victory.
Blaise Pascal
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The struggle itself is more fulfilling than the achievement of success.

Blaise Pascal highlights the intrinsic value of the effort and struggle we put into our endeavors, suggesting that the act of fighting for a cause or goal is what truly brings us satisfaction, rather than merely attaining victory. This perspective shifts the focus from outcomes to the journey itself, inviting us to appreciate the challenges we face and the personal growth that comes with them.

Themes

StruggleFightVictoryJourneySatisfaction

In practice

Example use cases

During a motivational speech about resilience, this quote can be used to emphasize the importance of the journey.

More from Blaise Pascal

Justice and power must be brought together, so that whatever is just may be powerful, and whatever is powerful may be just.
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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.
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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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