God's will has been to redeem men and open the way of salvation to those who seek it, but men have shown themselves so unworthy that it is right for … - Blaise Pascal

There is enough light for those who only desire to see, and enough obscurity for those who have a contrary disposition

In difficult times carry something beautiful in your heart.

When I see the blind and wretched state of men, when I survey the whole universe in its deadness, and man left to himself with no light, as though lost in this corner of the universe without knowing who put him there, what he has to do, or what will become of him when he dies, incapable of knowing anything, I am moved to terror, like a man transported in his sleep to some terrifying desert island, who wakes up quite lost, with no means of escape. Then I marvel that so wretched a state does not drive people to despair.

[96]. Cause and effect. Human weakness is the reason for so many canons of beauty; for instance, being a good lute-player. It is only our weakness which makes it a bad thing [not to be one?].