“The struggle alone pleases us, not the victory.”
- June 19, 1623 – August 19, 1662
- French
- Mathematician, Physicist, Inventor, Philosopher, Theologian
table of contents
Quote
“The struggle alone pleases us, not the victory.”
Explanation
Pascal reveals a profound truth about human desire: that it is the pursuit, not the attainment, that gives us the greatest satisfaction. The anticipation, the effort, the challenge—these fuel our sense of purpose and keep us engaged with life. Once we achieve the goal or claim the victory, the excitement often fades, leaving us to seek a new struggle. Victory, by ending the quest, can actually feel empty or anticlimactic.
This idea appears frequently in Pensées, where Pascal explores the restless nature of the human heart. He believed that humans are not made for contentment in earthly things, and that even when we achieve what we want, we are often left with a sense of disappointment or boredom. This restlessness is not a flaw but a clue—pointing us toward a higher, spiritual fulfillment that cannot be satisfied by worldly victories. Struggle engages our full being, while victory leaves us searching once again.
In today’s goal-driven world, Pascal’s insight challenges our assumptions. We often measure life by outcomes—titles, possessions, accomplishments—yet find lasting joy not in having, but in striving. His quote invites us to consider whether what we chase is truly the object itself, or the experience of chasing it, and to recognize that meaning is often found in the journey, not the destination. True fulfillment, he suggests, lies in a struggle that points beyond itself.
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