“The finite is annihilated in the presence of the infinite, and becomes a pure nothing. So our spirit before God, so our justice before divine justice.”
- June 19, 1623 – August 19, 1662
- French
- Mathematician, Physicist, Inventor, Philosopher, Theologian
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Quote
“The finite is annihilated in the presence of the infinite, and becomes a pure nothing. So our spirit before God, so our justice before divine justice.”
Explanation
Pascal emphasizes the immeasurable gap between human limitations and divine perfection. Just as anything finite disappears when compared to the infinite, so too does our human mind shrink before the mind of God, and our sense of justice becomes meaningless when measured against divine justice. The quote is not meant to degrade humanity, but to instill humility and a sense of awe before the infinite nature of God.
This thought echoes a central theme in Pensées: the dual condition of man, who is at once capable of reason and morality, yet profoundly insignificant in the face of eternity. Pascal believed that true wisdom begins in recognizing our smallness, especially when it comes to matters of truth, justice, and salvation. Human pride in our intellect or virtue dissolves when confronted with the absolute perfection of the divine.
In today’s world, where people often place great confidence in reason, ethics, and self-worth, Pascal’s statement serves as a powerful reminder of our spiritual finitude. It challenges us to rethink how we measure goodness, truth, or fairness, and to approach the divine not with presumption, but with humility, reverence, and dependence on grace. In acknowledging our nothingness before the infinite, we begin to understand our true place—and the magnitude of divine mercy.
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