back to ideas for this text


Single Idea 6675

[from 'Pensées' by Blaise Pascal, in 2. Reason / A. Nature of Reason / 9. Limits of Reason ]

Full Idea

The heart has its reasons of which reason knows nothing.

Gist of Idea

The heart has its reasons of which reason knows nothing

Source

Blaise Pascal (Pensées [1662], 423 (277))

Book Reference

Pascal,Blaise: 'Pensées', ed/tr. Krailsheimer,A.J. [Penguin 1966], p.154


A Reaction

This romantic remark has passed into folklore. I am essentially against it, but the role of intuition and instinct are undeniable in both reasoning and ethics. I don't feel inclined, though, to let my heart overrule my reason concerning what exists.