959 Quotes by Blaise Pascal

Thinking too little about things or thinking too much both make us obstinate and fanatical.

Mediocrity makes the most of its native possessions.

It is superstitious to put one's hopes in formalities, but arrogant to refuse to submit to them.

The sum of a man's problems come from his inability to be alone in a silent room.

Fashion is a tyrant from which nothing frees us. We must suit ourselves to its fantastic tastes. But being compelled to live under its foolish laws, the wise man is never the first to follow, nor the last to keep it.

If you want people to think well of you, do not speak well of yourself

It is certain that those who have the living faith in their hearts see at once that all existence is none other than the work of the God whom they adore. But for those in whom this light is extinguished, [if we were to show them our proofs of the existence of God] nothing is more calculated to arouse their contempt. . . .

The imagination enlarges little objects so as to fill our souls with a fantastic estimate; and, with rash insolence, it belittles the great to its own measure, as when talking of God.

When malice has reason on its side, it looks forth bravely, and displays that reason in all its luster. When austerity and self-denial have not realized true happiness, and the soul returns to the dictates of nature, the reaction is fearfully extravagant.