Justice and power must be brought together, so that whatever is just may be powerful, and whatever is powerful may be just.
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?
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote questions the value of moral independence in the absence of belief in a higher power.
Blaise Pascal's quote critiques the notion that individuals who reject belief in God can still lead morally accountable lives. He suggests that without a divine authority to watch over human actions, the motivation for ethical behavior may diminish, as these individuals consider themselves the sole arbiters of their actions without the expectation of answering to anyone beyond themselves.
Themes
MoralityBeliefFreedomResponsibilityGod
In practice
Example use cases
In a philosophical debate about the role of religion in shaping morality.
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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It is the fight alone that pleases us, not the victory.
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