“We view things not only from different sides, but with different eyes; we have no wish to find them alike.”
- June 19, 1623 – August 19, 1662
- French
- Mathematician, Physicist, Inventor, Philosopher, Theologian
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Quote
“We view things not only from different sides, but with different eyes; we have no wish to find them alike.”
Explanation
Pascal highlights the deeply subjective nature of human perception, emphasizing that people not only approach issues from different positions or contexts, but also interpret them through fundamentally different perspectives and inner dispositions. It is not merely that we stand at varied angles, but that our eyes—our biases, values, and desires—are shaped differently, and so we see things differently. More strikingly, Pascal points out that we often do not want to see alike, because our egos or interests are invested in difference.
This insight reflects Pascal’s broader concern in Pensées with human inconsistency and self-deception. He recognized that people often cling to their views not because they are true, but because they serve pride, identity, or comfort. His philosophical and theological project aimed to reveal that truth is obscured not only by ignorance, but by willful blindness—the refusal to see clearly, especially when clarity would require humility or change.
In modern times, this observation remains highly relevant in a world divided by politics, ideology, culture, and media echo chambers. Whether in public debate or private relationships, people often select facts, frame narratives, and defend opinions not to arrive at a shared understanding, but to preserve a preferred worldview. Pascal’s words challenge us to recognize that true understanding requires not only seeing from another’s position, but also questioning the lenses through which we see—and the motives behind them.
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