“Habit is a second nature that destroys the first. But what is nature? Why is habit not natural? I am very much afraid that nature itself is only a first habit, just as habit is a second nature.”
- June 19, 1623 – August 19, 1662
- French
- Mathematician, Physicist, Inventor, Philosopher, Theologian
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Quote
“Habit is a second nature that destroys the first. But what is nature? Why is habit not natural? I am very much afraid that nature itself is only a first habit, just as habit is a second nature.”
Explanation
Pascal questions the boundary between what we call “nature” and what we call “habit,” suggesting that the two may be indistinguishable. We often think of nature as something inherent and fixed, and habit as something acquired through repetition. Yet over time, habits become so deeply ingrained that they feel natural, and what we call “natural” may simply be a very old or universal habit. This destabilizes our confidence in knowing what is truly innate in ourselves or others.
In Pensées, Pascal frequently explores the themes of custom, perception, and self-deception, and how easily people take for granted what they have become accustomed to. Habit reshapes thought, emotion, and behavior, to the point that people may believe they are following reason or nature when they are merely following routine. By questioning whether nature is just “first habit,” Pascal invites us to reflect on how much of our so-called identity or morality is shaped by repetition rather than reason or truth.
This insight is especially relevant today in psychology, cultural criticism, and moral philosophy. It challenges assumptions about natural behavior, tradition, and authenticity, reminding us that many things we think are essential may in fact be learned and internalized unconsciously. Pascal’s quote calls us to examine what we accept as “natural”, and to consider whether we are living by truth—or merely by habit.
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