QuoteProject
Those are weaklings who know the truth and uphold it as long as it suits their purpose, and then abandon it.
Blaise Pascal
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

True strength lies in unwavering commitment to the truth, regardless of personal gain.

Blaise Pascal's quote highlights the importance of integrity and steadfastness in upholding the truth. It criticizes those who only embrace the truth when it is convenient for them, suggesting that such behavior is a sign of weakness. Genuine honor and strength come from consistently adhering to one's principles, even in challenging circumstances.

Themes

TruthIntegrityWeaknessPrinciplesHonesty

In practice

Example use cases

During a team meeting about maintaining ethical standards in business.

More from Blaise Pascal

Justice and power must be brought together, so that whatever is just may be powerful, and whatever is powerful may be just.
Blaise PascalRead
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.
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
It is the fight alone that pleases us, not the victory.
Blaise PascalRead

Similar quotes

Capitalism is not the system of the past; it is the system of the future -- if mankind is to have a future
Ayn RandRead
Compassion literally means to feel with, to suffer with. Everyone is capable of compassion, and yet everyone tends to avoid it because it's uncomfortable. And the avoidance produces psychic numbing - resistance to experiencing our pain for the world and other beings.
Joanna MacyRead
As I approached my 95th birthday, I was burdened to write a book that addressed the epidemic of 'easy believism.' There is a mindset today that if people believe in God and do good works, they are going to Heaven.
Billy GrahamRead
There is no heresy or no philosophy which is so abhorrent to the church as a human being.
James JoyceRead
Well, protest is central to the evolution of black American culture. It was protest that really finally won our freedom for us. Beyond that, it's always interesting to note that it expanded the idea of democracy.
Shelby SteeleRead
It is very sad to me that some people are so intent on leaving their mark on the world that they don’t care if that mark is a scar.
John GreenRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.