“You always admire what you really don’t understand.”
- June 19, 1623 – August 19, 1662
- French
- Mathematician, Physicist, Inventor, Philosopher, Theologian
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Quote
“You always admire what you really don’t understand.”
Explanation
Pascal points to a common human tendency: our admiration often increases in proportion to our ignorance. When we lack understanding of something—whether it be a person, a work of art, a scientific theory, or a religious mystery—we are more likely to inflate its grandeur or mystique, precisely because its details remain obscure. What is unclear feels powerful, and in that fog of incomprehension, we project wonder or significance.
This insight ties into Pascal’s broader reflections in Pensées on human pride, illusion, and the limits of reason. He recognized that people are often awed not by what is truly great, but by what is unfamiliar or difficult to grasp. As knowledge increases, admiration may diminish—not because the thing is less worthy, but because understanding replaces mystery with clarity, and familiarity tempers fascination. Pascal uses this observation to caution against mistaking obscurity for depth, or revering what we fail to comprehend simply because we fear appearing ignorant.
In contemporary culture, where complex jargon, abstract art, or charismatic personalities often command admiration, Pascal’s quote remains relevant. It warns us to ask: Do we admire this because it is truly excellent, or because we don’t understand it well enough to question it? His words call for discernment, reminding us that true appreciation grows not from distance and mystery, but from thoughtful engagement and understanding.
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