“There are some who speak well and write badly. For the place and the audience warm them, and draw from their minds more than they think of without that warmth.”
- June 19, 1623 – August 19, 1662
- French
- Mathematician, Physicist, Inventor, Philosopher, Theologian
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Quote
“There are some who speak well and write badly. For the place and the audience warm them, and draw from their minds more than they think of without that warmth.”
Explanation
Pascal explains why some people excel in speech but falter in writing: the energy of a live audience and the moment itself stir inspiration that solitary writing does not. In public, the presence of listeners creates a dynamic exchange—a kind of intellectual and emotional warmth—that draws forth spontaneity, clarity, and passion. Without this stimulus, their thoughts may seem colder or more confused when put on paper, where the silence and isolation of writing lack the fire of human interaction.
This insight reflects Pascal’s understanding of the psychology of communication. In Pensées, he often explores how context shapes human thought, and here he observes that the immediacy of live discourse can awaken parts of the mind that remain dormant in solitude. For Pascal, this doesn’t mean one form is superior to the other—it simply reveals the fluid, responsive nature of human intellect, which adapts and performs differently under various conditions.
In today’s world of recorded speeches, live streams, and social media, this distinction is still relevant. A person may captivate in conversation or oratory, yet struggle to express themselves with equal strength in writing. Pascal’s quote reminds us that brilliance often arises from connection, and that communication is not just about content, but the emotional and situational context that gives it life.
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