Justice and power must be brought together, so that whatever is just may be powerful, and whatever is powerful may be just.
Blaise PascalRead
The sum of a man's problems come from his inability to be alone in a silent room.
Interpretation
This quote suggests that many of our troubles stem from our discomfort with solitude and silence.
Blaise Pascal's quote highlights the idea that an individual's inner turmoil often arises from a fear of being alone with their thoughts. In a world filled with distractions, many people struggle to confront their own emotions and reflections in silence, leading to a myriad of personal problems. It serves as a reminder to embrace solitude as a pathway to self-discovery and clarity.
In practice
During a workshop on mindfulness, this quote can be used to emphasize the importance of solitude for mental health.
Justice and power must be brought together, so that whatever is just may be powerful, and whatever is powerful may be just.
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.
Those are weaklings who know the truth and uphold it as long as it suits their purpose, and then abandon it.
Jesus is the God whom we can approach without pride and before whom we can humble ourselves without despair.
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.
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?
Perhaps you have noticed that even in the very lightest breeze you can hear the voice of the cottonwood tree; this we understand is its prayer to the Great Spirit, for not only men, but all things and all beings pray to Him continually in differing ways.
Being religious means asking passionately the question of the meaning of our existence and being willing to receive answers, even if the answers hurt.
Humanity needs a new soil - the soil of freedom. Bohemianism was a reaction, a necessary reaction, but if my vision succeeds then there will be no bohemianism because there will be no so-called collective mind trying to dominate people. Then everybody will be at ease with himself. Of course, you have not to interfere with anybody, but as far as your life is concerned you have to live it on your own terms. Then only is there creativity. Creativity is the fragrance of individual freedom.
Life, like a child, laughs, shaking its rattle of death as it runs.
Until the courts put a stop to it, public debate over same-sex marriage displayed American democracy at its best. Individuals on both sides of the issue passionately, but respectfully, attempted to persuade their fellow citizens to accept their views.
The way a culture treats women in birth is a good indicator of how well women and their contributions to society are valued and honored.
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