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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!
Blaise Pascal
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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

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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Jesus is the God whom we can approach without pride and before whom we can humble ourselves without despair.
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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?
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