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 we must not act save on a certainty, we ought not to act on religion, for it is not certain. But how many things we do on an uncertainty, sea voyages, battles!
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that life is filled with uncertainties, yet we act on them regardless, including in matters of faith.
Blaise Pascal's quote reflects on the nature of human actions driven by certainty and uncertainty. He argues that while one should ideally only act on certainty, we frequently take actions based on uncertain outcomes, such as embarking on sea voyages or engaging in battles. In this context, he critiques the reliance on religion, as it is inherently uncertain, yet people still choose to act within that realm. This highlights the paradox of human behavior where we often embrace risk and uncertainty in various aspects of life, including the most critical and personal, like belief and faith.
Themes
CertaintyUncertaintyReligionActionsPhilosophyRisk
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a philosophy class discussion about decision-making.
More from Blaise Pascal
All quotes →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.
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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