“It is the fight alone that pleases us, not the victory.”
- June 19, 1623 – August 19, 1662
- French
- Mathematician, Physicist, Inventor, Philosopher, Theologian
table of contents
Quote
“It is the fight alone that pleases us, not the victory.”
Explanation
Pascal highlights the paradoxical nature of human desire: we are often more engaged by striving than by arriving. The pursuit—the effort, challenge, and anticipation—brings more satisfaction than the final success. Once victory is achieved, it can feel empty or fleeting, whereas the struggle itself gives life direction, urgency, and meaning. This reflects the deeper truth that we are creatures of movement and longing, not just of attainment.
In Pensées, Pascal frequently explores the restlessness of the human heart. He observes that people are never fully content—once a goal is reached, another must be set, and happiness is always just ahead, never quite here. The fight, or the chase, keeps us occupied and hopeful, whereas victory often exposes the emptiness of fulfilled desire, reminding us that what we thought would satisfy rarely does. The pleasure is in the striving, not the state.
In modern life, this insight is clearly visible in ambition, competition, and personal growth. Whether in careers, sports, or relationships, people are energized by the process more than the outcome. Once success arrives, it can feel anticlimactic—prompting a new pursuit. Pascal’s quote encourages reflection on why we strive and what we truly seek, reminding us that meaning may lie more in the journey than in the destination, and that understanding this can lead to deeper wisdom and peace.
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