Contrary Quote by Blaise Pascal
““Do they think that they have given us great pleasure by telling us that they hold our soul to be no more than wind or smoke, and saying it moreover in tones of pride and satisfaction? Is this then something to be said gaily? Is it not on the contrary something to be said sadly, as being the saddest thing in the world?””
About This Quote
The passage laments the trivialization of the soul, urging sorrow over prideful claims that reduce humanity to fleeting elements.
In simple terms: Sorrowful critique of superficial spirituality
Key Takeaway
True depth of the soul demands reverence
Themes
existentialism
spirituality
humility
mortality
meaning
Mood
melancholic
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
lamentation
reflection
When to use this quote
- religious discourse
- philosophical debate
- personal crisis
- cultural critique
Key Concepts
soul
pride
illusion
sorrow
Practical Applications
- theological reflection
- ethical counseling
Questions to Reflect On
- What does it mean to treat the soul as insubstantial?
- How might humility reshape our view of human worth?
![“You see, if the height of the mercury [barometer] column is less on the top of a mountain than at the foot of it (as I have many reasons for believing, although everyone who has so far written about it is of the contrary opinion), it follows that the weight of the air must be the sole cause of the…” quote by Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f38/blaise-pascal-167_abhorrence_you-see-if-the-height-of-the-mercury-bar_797719.jpg)
