Empathetic Quote by Carl Sagan
“We are not without empathetic terror when we open Pascal's 'Pensees' and read, 'I am the great silent spaces between worlds.'”
About This Quote
Source Book: Pascal's Pensées, 1670 (collection)
Reading Pascal reveals a deep, unsettling terror that arises from confronting the vast, silent spaces between worlds, highlighting humanity's existential dread.
In simple terms: Pascal's thoughts cause existential fear about the unknown.
Key Takeaway
Acknowledge and explore existential anxieties.
Themes
existential
philosophy
fear
silence
Mood
thoughtful
somber
Type
philosophical
introspective
When to use this quote
- meditation
- philosophical study
- nighttime contemplation
- artistic creation
Key Concepts
metaphysics
human consciousness
spirituality
Questions to Reflect On
- What silent spaces do you feel within?
- How can you transform terror into curiosity?
A Different Perspective
Such terror can be paralyzing if not balanced with meaning.
![“[ When a religious couple wrote to Sagan about fulfilled prophecies, he wrote back in May 1996 :] If ‘fulfilled prophecy’ is your criterion, why do you not believe in materialistic science, which has an unparalleled record of fulfilled prophecy? Consider, for example, eclipses.” quote by Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/875/carl-sagan-160_belief_when-a-religious-couple-wrote-to-sagan-a_25095.jpg)
