Justice and power must be brought together, so that whatever is just may be powerful, and whatever is powerful may be just.
Blaise PascalRead
We have so exalted a notion of the human soul that we cannot bear to be despised, or even not to be esteemed by it. Man, in fact, places all his happiness in this esteem.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects on the importance of self-esteem and how our happiness is tied to the esteem we receive from others.
Blaise Pascal emphasizes the profound impact of human perception and esteem on our sense of self-worth and happiness. He suggests that society has created such a high regard for the human soul that individuals become deeply affected by how they are perceived by others, often placing their happiness in external validation. This highlights the intricate relationship between self-esteem and social acceptance in the human experience.
Themes
EsteemHappinessSelf-WorthValidationSociety
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech about self-worth, one might use this quote to illustrate the importance of how we value ourselves based on others' perceptions.
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.
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?
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