Justice and power must be brought together, so that whatever is just may be powerful, and whatever is powerful may be just.
Blaise PascalRead
If all men knew what others say of them, there would not be four friends in the world.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Honest opinions about each other can disrupt friendships.
This quote suggests that if everyone were aware of the true thoughts and remarks others have about them, it would lead to a significant erosion of trust and camaraderie among friends. It highlights the delicate nature of interpersonal relationships and demonstrates how unfiltered opinions can often harm friendships.
Themes
FriendshipTrustOpinionsPerceptionRelationships
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a discussion about the fragility of friendships during a speech about loyalty.
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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