Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction.
If God does not exist, one will lose nothing by believing in him, while if he does exist, one will lose everything by not believing.
The heart has its reasons which reason knows nothing of.
It is man's natural sickness to believe that he possesses the Truth.
Thinking too little about things or thinking too much both make us obstinate and fanatical.
Since one cannot be universal by knowing everything that can be known about everything, it is necessary to know a little about everything.
You must wager; it is not optional... Let us weigh the gain and the loss in wagering that God exists... If you gain, you gain all; if you lose, you lose nothing. Wager, then, without hesitation, that He exists.
We would never travel on the sea if we had no hope of telling about it later... We lose our lives with joy provided people talk about it... Even philosophers wish for admirers.
We understand nothing of the works of God unless we take it as a principle that He wishes to blind some and to enlighten others.
This is what I see, and what troubles me. I look on all sides, and everywhere I see nothing but obscurity. Nature offers me nothing that is not a matter of doubt and disquiet.
The two principles of truth, reason and senses, are not only both not genuine, but are engaged in mutual deception. The senses deceive reason through false appearances, and the senses are disturbed by passions, which produce false impressions.
One must know oneself. If this does not serve to discover truth, it at least serves as a rule of life, and there is nothing better.
Man is a reed, the weakest of nature, but he is a thinking reed.
Make religion attractive, make good men wish it were true, and then show that it is. Worthy of reverence because it really understands human nature. Attractive because it promises true good.
Knowledge of physical science will not console me for ignorance of morality in time of affliction, but knowledge of morality will always console me for ignorance of physical science.
If we look at our work immediately after completing it, we are still too involved; if too long afterwards, we cannot pick up the thread again.
Man governs himself more by impulse than reason.
That which makes us go so far for love is that we never think that we might have need of anything besides that which we love.
Not being able to fortify justice, they justified force.
Justice without force is powerless; force without justice is tyrannical.
In every man's heart there is an emptiness that only God can fill with his son Jesus Christ.
Wisdom leads us back to childhood.
Why are you killing me for your own benefit? I am unarmed. Why, do you not live on the other side of the water? My friend, if you lived on this side, I should be a murderer, but since you live on the other side, I am a brave man and it is right.
What must I do? I see nothing but obscurities on every side. Shall I believe I am nothing? Shall I believe I am God?
What amazes me the most is to see that everyone is not amazed at his own weakness.
