“We like security: we like the pope to be infallible in matters of faith, and grave doctors to be so in moral questions so that we can feel reassured.”
- June 19, 1623 – August 19, 1662
- French
- Mathematician, Physicist, Inventor, Philosopher, Theologian
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Quote
“We like security: we like the pope to be infallible in matters of faith, and grave doctors to be so in moral questions so that we can feel reassured.”
Explanation
Pascal exposes a deep psychological desire for certainty and authority in the face of life’s moral and spiritual complexity. People prefer to believe that religious or moral authorities—like the pope or scholars—possess infallibility, because it offers emotional comfort and mental rest. When someone else holds the final, unquestionable truth, we are relieved of the burden of doubt, inquiry, or personal responsibility. This craving for reassurance often outweighs a genuine search for truth.
In Pensées, Pascal frequently critiques this inclination, noting how people often trade intellectual integrity for the illusion of certainty. He recognized the dangers of misplaced reliance on human authority, especially when it replaces the hard, personal work of spiritual reflection. While he did not oppose religious tradition, he understood that true faith must be rooted in the heart and reason, not merely in submission to external claims of certainty.
In modern life, this insight remains strikingly relevant. Whether in religion, politics, science, or culture, people are often drawn to figures or systems that promise absolute answers, preferring security over complexity. Pascal’s quote challenges us to reflect on why we seek authority, and whether our desire for comfort is keeping us from a more honest and mature engagement with truth. Certainty is comforting, but it is not always the same as wisdom.
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