“There are only two kinds of men: the righteous who think they are sinners and the sinners who think they are righteous.”
- June 19, 1623 – August 19, 1662
- French
- Mathematician, Physicist, Inventor, Philosopher, Theologian
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Quote
“There are only two kinds of men: the righteous who think they are sinners and the sinners who think they are righteous.”
Explanation
Pascal draws a sharp moral distinction based not on behavior alone, but on self-awareness and humility. The truly righteous, he suggests, are those who recognize their flaws, acknowledge their moral failures, and do not claim perfection. In contrast, those who see themselves as righteous are often blind to their faults, falling into pride and self-deception. This paradox—that the awareness of sin is a sign of righteousness—reflects Pascal’s deep Christian belief that grace begins where pride ends.
This idea resonates throughout Pensées, where Pascal emphasizes the fallen nature of humanity and the necessity of humility before God. He believed that human beings are inherently flawed and that salvation does not come from claiming moral superiority but from recognizing one’s dependence on divine mercy. For Pascal, the greatest danger is not sin itself, but the refusal to see it—for such blindness closes the heart to repentance and grace.
In today’s context, this quote challenges modern notions of self-righteousness, moral superiority, and virtue signaling. Whether in religion, politics, or personal ethics, those who loudly proclaim their own goodness may do so at the cost of honest self-reflection. Pascal’s insight reminds us that true virtue is marked by humility, and that recognizing one’s imperfections is not weakness, but a sign of moral clarity and spiritual openness.
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