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I have discovered that all human evil comes from this, man's being unable to sit still in a room.
Blaise Pascal
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote suggests that human restlessness leads to negative actions and behaviors.

Blaise Pascal argues that much of the evil in humanity stems from our inability to tolerate stillness and solitude. This restlessness often drives individuals to engage in negative actions, instead of embracing the peace that comes from contemplation and self-reflection.

Themes

RestlessnessEvilSolitudeContemplationHuman Nature

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be used during a discussion on mental health to emphasize the importance of self-reflection.

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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