Page:Blaise Pascal works.djvu/118

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110
PASCAL'S THOUGHTS

309

Justice.—As custom determines what is agreeable, so also does it determine justice.


310

King and tyrant.—I, too, will keep my thoughts secret.

I will take care on every journey.

Greatness of establishment, respect for establishment.

The pleasure of the great is the power to make people happy.

The property of riches is to be given liberally.

The property of each thing must be sought. The property of power is to protect.

When force attacks humbug, when a private soldier takes the square cap off a first president, and throws it out of the window.


311

The government founded on opinion and imagination reigns for some time, and this government is pleasant and voluntary; that founded on might lasts for ever. Thus opinion is the queen of the world, but might is its tyrant.


312

Justice is what is established; and thus all our established laws will necessarily be regarded as just without examination, since they are established.


313

Sound opinions of the people.—Civil wars are the greatest of evils. They are inevitable, if we wish to reward desert; for all will say they are deserving. The evil we have to fear from a fool who succeeds by right of birth, is neither so great nor so sure.


314

God has created all for Himself. He has bestowed upon Himself the power of pain and pleasure.