We do not content ourselves with the life we have in ourselves and in our own being; we desire to live an imaginary life in the mind of others, and f… - Blaise Pascal

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Engraved portrait of Blaise Pascal, facing left

We do not content ourselves with the life we have in ourselves and in our own being; we desire to live an imaginary life in the mind of others, and for this purpose we endeavour to shine. We labour unceasingly to adorn and preserve this imaginary existence, and neglect the real. And if we possess calmness, or generosity, or truthfulness, we are eager to make it known, so as to attach these virtues to that imaginary existence. We would rather separate them from ourselves to join them to it; and we would willingly be cowards in order to acquire the reputation of being brave. A great proof of the nothingness of our being, not to be satisfied with the one without the other, and to renounce the one for the other! For he would be infamous who would not die to preserve his honour.

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About Blaise Pascal

Blaise Pascal (19 June 1623 – 19 August 1662) was a French mathematician, logician, physicist and theologian.

Biography information from Wikiquote · Portrait adapted from Wikimedia Commons, unknown; a copy of the painting of François II Quesnel, which was made for Gérard Edelinck en 1691[réf. nécessaire]. (Public domain / CC0)

Also Known As

Pen Names: Louis de Montalte Amos Dettonville Salomon de Tultie
Alternative Names: Pascal Dettonville Paskal Blez

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Dieu, par sa miséricorde, donne, quand il lui plaît, aux justes le pouvoir plein et parfait d’accomplir les préceptes, et qu’il ne le donne pas toujours, par un jugement juste, quoique caché.

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