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
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.
In practice
During a discussion about friendship's complexities, one could use this quote to showcase the need for discretion.
Justice and power must be brought together, so that whatever is just may be powerful, and whatever is powerful may be just.
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.
Those are weaklings who know the truth and uphold it as long as it suits their purpose, and then abandon it.
Jesus is the God whom we can approach without pride and before whom we can humble ourselves without despair.
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.
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?
My idea of good company is the company of clever, well-informed people who have a great deal of conversation; that is what I call good company.
They might not need me; but they might. I'll let my head be just in sight; a smile as small as mine might be precisely their necessity.
A slender acquaintance with the world must convince every man that actions, not words, are the true criterion of the attachment of friends.
Rare as is true love, true friendship is rarer.
I think that I had better go, Holmes." "Not a bit, doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my Boswell.
Martin is your best friend, isn't he?' a sweet and well-intentioned girl once said when both of us were present: it was the only time I ever felt awkward about this precious idea, which seemed somehow to risk diminishment if it were uttered aloud.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.