Page:Blaise Pascal works.djvu/127

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SECTION VI

The Philosophers

339

ICAN well conceive a man without hands, feet, head (for it is only experience which teaches us that the head is more necessary than feet). But I cannot conceive man without thought; he would be a stone or a brute.


340

The arithmetical machine produces effects which approach nearer to thought than all the actions of animals. But it does nothing which would enable us to attribute will to it, as to the animals.


341

The account of the pike and frog of Liancourt. They do it always, and never otherwise, nor any other thing showing mind.


342

If an animal did by mind what it does by instinct, and if it spoke by mind what it speaks by instinct, in hunting, and in warning its mates that the prey is found or lost; it would indeed also speak in regard to those things which affect it closer, as example, "Gnaw me this cord which is wounding me, and which I cannot reach."


343

The beak of the parrot, which it wipes, although it is clean.


344

Instinct and reason, marks of two natures.

119