Blaise Pascal Quotes about Desire

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

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

Blaise Pascal

Light, Desire, Obscurity

Blaise Pascal, W. F. Trotter, T. S. Eliot (2003). “Pensees”, p.118, Courier Corporation

St. Augustine teaches us that there is in each man a Serpent, an Eve, and an Adam. Our senses and natural propensities are the Serpent; the excitable desire is the Eve; and reason is the Adam. Our nature tempts us perpetually; criminal desire is often excited; but sin is not completed till reason consents.

Blaise Pascal

Men, Temptation, Desire

Blaise Pascal (1849). “Thoughts of Blaise Pascal”, p.371

We desire truth, and find within ourselves only uncertainty. We seek happiness, and find only misery and death. We cannot but desire truth and happiness, and are incapable of certainty or happiness.

Blaise Pascal

Desire, Misery, Certainty

Blaise Pascal (2015). “Pensees: Thoughts on Religion”, p.136, Letcetera Publishing

Extremes are for us as though they were not, and we are not within their notice. They escape us, or we them. This is our true state; this is what makes us incapable of certain knowledge and of absolute ignorance... This is our natural condition, and yet most contrary to our inclination; we burn with desire to find solid ground and an ultimate sure foundation whereon to build a tower reaching to the Infinite. But our whole groundwork cracks, and the earth opens to abysses.

Blaise Pascal

Ignorance, Knowledge, Desire

"Pensées" by Blaise Pascal, (Ch. 72), 1669.

Christianity is strange. It bids man recognise that he is vile, even abominable, and bids him desire to be like God. Without such a counterpoise, this dignity would make him horribly vain, or this humiliation would make him terribly abject.

Blaise Pascal

Men, Desire, Strange

Blaise Pascal (1910). “Thoughts, Letters, and Minor Works”

What is it, in your opinion, to be a great nobleman? It is to be master of several objects that men covet, and thus to be able to satisfy the wants and the desires of many. It is these wants and these desires that attract them towards you, and that make them submit to you: were it not for these, they would not even look at you; but they hope, by these services... to obtain from you some part of the good which they desire, and of which they see that you have the disposal.

Blaise Pascal

Men, Desire, Looks

Blaise Pascal (1961). “Thoughts”