Pensees

By Blaise Pascal, here. Excerpt:

When we wish to correct with advantage and to show another that he errs, we must notice from what side he views the matter, for on that side it is usually true, and admit that truth to him, but reveal to him the side on which it is false. He is satisfied with that, for he sees that he was not mistaken and that he only failed to see all sides. Now, no one is offended at not seeing everything; but one does not like to be mistaken, and that perhaps arises from the fact that man naturally cannot see everything, and that naturally he cannot err in the side he looks at, since the perceptions of our senses are always true. [...]

All great amusements are dangerous to the Christian life; but among all those which the world has invented there is none more to be feared than the theatre. [...]

Words differently arranged have a different meaning, and meanings differently arranged have different effects. [...]

Man loves malice, but not against one-eyed men nor the unfortunate, but against the fortunate and proud. People are mistaken in thinking otherwise. [...]

As Americans, it might be prudent to keep that last aphorism in mind.