Justice and power must be brought together, so that whatever is just may be powerful, and whatever is powerful may be just.
Blaise PascalRead
I rather live as if God exists to find out that He doesn't than live as if he doesn't exist to find out He does.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Pascal suggests that embracing belief in God is more beneficial than living as if He does not exist, even if that belief turns out to be wrong.
Blaise Pascal's quote reflects the philosophical argument known as Pascal's Wager, which posits that it is a better bet to live as if God exists because the potential benefits of faith (such as eternal life) outweigh the risks of disbelief. Ultimately, Pascal argues for a life of hope and faith, suggesting that the pursuit of belief can lead to greater fulfillment than a life devoid of such convictions, even in the face of uncertainty about the divine.
Themes
FaithBeliefGodExistencePhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a discussion about the existence of God in a philosophy class.
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.
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
Similar quotes
Man is troubled not by events, but by the meaning he gives them.
EpictetusRead
Eternity is not an everlasting flux of time, but time is as a short parenthesis in a long period.
John DonneRead
Every man who has power is impelled to abuse it.
Baron De MontesquieuRead
To be sure, the response of faith to revelation, which God grants to the creature he chooses and moves with his love, occurs in such a way that it is truly the creature that provides the response, with its own nature and its natural powers of love.
Hans Urs Von BalthasarRead
Of what use is a philosopher who doesn't hurt anybody's feelings?
DiogenesRead
Though they go mad they shall be sane, though they sink through the sea they shall rise again; though lovers be lost love shall not; and death shall have no dominion.
Dylan ThomasRead