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 are so presumptuous that we should like to be known all over the world, even by people who will only come when we are no more. Such is our vanity that the good opinion of half a dozen of the people around us gives us pleasure and satisfaction.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on human vanity and the desire for recognition, even after death, emphasizing how shallow our need for approval can be.
Blaise Pascal's quote delves into the nature of human vanity, suggesting that we often long for acknowledgment and recognition from others, even those who may only remember us once we are gone. This desire highlights our inherent need for validation and the sometimes superficial connections that shape our self-worth, pointing to the paradox that we derive satisfaction from the opinions of only a small circle while yearning for broader acknowledgment.
Themes
VanityRecognitionSelf-WorthOpinionHuman Nature
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech addressing self-esteem, this quote could be used to illustrate our tendency to seek approval.
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.
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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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