Justice and power must be brought together, so that whatever is just may be powerful, and whatever is powerful may be just.
Blaise PascalRead
Man's greatness lies in his power of thought.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The true measure of a person's greatness stems from their ability to think deeply and critically.
Blaise Pascal's quote emphasizes that what makes a person truly great is not their physical prowess or social status, but rather their capacity for thought and reflection. It suggests that intellectual strength and the ability to ponder complex ideas and concepts define human greatness more than any tangible achievement.
Themes
GreatnessThoughtWisdomIntellectPower
In practice
Example use cases
A motivational speech about the importance of education could reference this quote.
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.
Blaise PascalRead
Those are weaklings who know the truth and uphold it as long as it suits their purpose, and then abandon it.
Blaise PascalRead
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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