“A trifle consoles us, for a trifle distresses us.”
- June 19, 1623 – August 19, 1662
- French
- Mathematician, Physicist, Inventor, Philosopher, Theologian
table of contents
Quote
“A trifle consoles us, for a trifle distresses us.”
Explanation
Pascal captures the emotional volatility and fragility of the human condition, observing that small things—trifles—have a disproportionate impact on our inner state. Just as minor slights, inconveniences, or words can disturb us deeply, so too can fleeting pleasures or distractions bring surprising comfort. This reflects our vulnerability to circumstance, and how our sense of happiness or misery often rests on the most insignificant causes.
In Pensées, Pascal often emphasizes the inconstancy and instability of human nature. He saw that people are deeply influenced by their surroundings and moods, frequently tossed between joy and sorrow by things of no lasting importance. Rather than being governed by reason or virtue, we are swayed by passing whims, revealing the shallowness of many of our reactions and the need for deeper grounding. For Pascal, this fragility is both a cause for humility and a reason to seek something more enduring than worldly comforts.
In modern life, where moods can shift with a comment on social media or a missed appointment, Pascal’s insight is strikingly relevant. It reminds us to be mindful of how easily we are affected, and to avoid overvaluing the trivial—whether in pain or pleasure. His words call us to seek steadiness not in the fleeting, but in what is lasting and meaningful, urging a deeper awareness of how easily we give power to trifles in both our distress and our consolation.
Would you like to share your impressions or related stories about this quote in the comments section?
