Justice and power must be brought together, so that whatever is just may be powerful, and whatever is powerful may be just.
Blaise PascalRead
Few friendships would survive if each one knew what his friend says of him behind his back.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True friendship requires trust and understanding, as knowing unflattering opinions can damage relationships.
Blaise Pascal's quote highlights the fragility of friendships, suggesting that most relationships wouldn't withstand the revelation of unspoken thoughts. It underscores the importance of trust and the potential harm that ignorance can protect us from, indicating that sometimes it is better not to know criticism that might undermine our bonds with others.
Themes
FriendshipTrustCriticismRelationshipHonesty
In practice
Example use cases
During a discussion about friendship's complexities, one could use this quote to showcase the need for discretion.
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.
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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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