“One must know oneself. If this does not serve to discover truth, it at least serves as a rule of life and there is nothing better.”
- June 19, 1623 – August 19, 1662
- French
- Mathematician, Physicist, Inventor, Philosopher, Theologian
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Quote
“One must know oneself. If this does not serve to discover truth, it at least serves as a rule of life and there is nothing better.”
Explanation
Pascal affirms the enduring importance of self-knowledge, even if it does not lead to ultimate truth. He acknowledges the limitations of human understanding, but insists that introspection has practical and moral value. To know oneself is to live wisely, to recognize one’s strengths, weaknesses, desires, and delusions. Even if this self-awareness falls short of metaphysical certainty, it remains the best guide for ethical and meaningful living.
This aligns with Pascal’s broader philosophical project in Pensées, where he constantly confronts the paradoxes of human nature—greatness and wretchedness, reason and passion. Like Socrates before him, Pascal believed that ignorance of oneself leads to error and harm. Yet unlike purely rationalist thinkers, he also accepted that truth might remain hidden, and that humility in the face of mystery is itself a virtue. Knowing oneself, then, becomes not just a step toward knowledge, but a safeguard against pride and folly.
In our time, this idea resonates with modern psychology and moral philosophy, which often stress self-awareness as key to personal growth, healthy relationships, and ethical conduct. Whether or not one reaches transcendent truths, the discipline of examining one’s motives, emotions, and behavior helps avoid self-deception. Pascal’s point is simple yet profound: even in uncertainty, honest self-knowledge offers the best foundation for a meaningful life.
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