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Those who are accustomed to judge by feeling do not understand the process of reasoning, because they want to comprehend at a glance and are not used to seeking for first principles. Those, on the other hand, who are accustomed to reason from first principles do not understand matters of feeling at all, because they look for first principles and are unable to comprehend at a glance.
Blaise Pascal
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote explores the contrast between emotional judgment and rational reasoning.

Blaise Pascal emphasizes the inherent conflict between those who rely on their feelings to make judgments and those who analyze situations through logical reasoning. He suggests that each group is limited in its understanding due to its focus: the emotionally driven individuals struggle with abstract reasoning, while rational thinkers fail to appreciate the nuances of emotional experiences.

Themes

ReasoningFeelingsJudgmentUnderstandingPrinciples

In practice

Example use cases

In a philosophy class discussing the influence of emotions on decision-making.

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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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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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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?
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