“The only shame is to have none.”
- June 19, 1623 – August 19, 1662
- French
- Mathematician, Physicist, Inventor, Philosopher, Theologian
table of contents
Quote
“The only shame is to have none.”
Explanation
Pascal declares that shame, rather than being a weakness, is a sign of moral sensitivity—and that the true disgrace is not in feeling shame, but in being incapable of it. Shame reflects an awareness of wrongdoing, a recognition of failure to live up to what is right or good. To feel no shame is to lack conscience, to be so numb to moral responsibility that one is no longer moved by the difference between right and wrong. In this sense, the absence of shame reveals a hardened or corrupted soul.
In Pensées, Pascal frequently examines human pride, self-deception, and moral frailty. He believed that while all people are flawed, it is the acknowledgment of one’s flaws—through humility and repentance—that begins the path to truth and grace. Shame, properly understood, is not destructive but redemptive: it reminds us of our moral obligations and opens the door to self-correction and spiritual healing.
In today’s culture, where shamelessness is sometimes mistaken for strength or authenticity, Pascal’s insight offers a necessary corrective. To feel shame is not a sign of weakness—it is a sign of conscience. His quote reminds us that moral integrity begins with self-awareness, and that the only true disgrace is not in failing, but in refusing to care that one has failed. Shame, when rightly felt, can be the first step toward becoming better.
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