Selections from the Thoughts

Included in this volume are fourteen of the fragments intended for Pascal's Jansenist-inspired defense of the Christian religion. Using the Chevalier edition, these are grouped to present a logical development of three themes, "The State of Man in Ignorance of God," "The Wager," and "The Christian Life." This translation closely follows the French text (cross-referenced with the paragraph numbers of the Brunschvicg edition) and does not conceal the fragmentary style of the original. Translated and edited by Arthur H. Beattie, this volume also contains an introduction, a list of principal dates in the life of Pascal, and a bibliography.

Blaise Pascal was a French mathematician, physicist, inventor, writer and Catholic theologian. He was a child prodigy who was educated by his father, a tax collector in Rouen.

Arthur H. Beattie is the translator and editor of Selections from The Thoughts, published by Wiley.

INTRODUCTION VII

PRINCIPAL DATES IN THE LIFE OF BLAISE PASCAL XV

PART I-THE STATE OF MAN IN IGNORANCE OF GOD 1

Section A-General Plan 1

Section B-The Two Infinites 3

Section C-The Self 11

Section D-Human Reason and Judgment 17

Section E-Man’s Nature 31

Section F-Observations on Man in Society 45

Section G-Moral Values and Justice 52

PART II- THE WAGER 61

Section A-Against Atheists and Skeptics 61

Section B-Momentous Importance of Religion 70

Section C-Christian Faith and Why We Must Choose It 80

PART III-THE CHRISTIAN LIFE 96

Section A-Truths of Reason and of the Heart 96

Section B-Original Sin and Grace 98

Section C-The Mystery of Jesus 109

Section D-The Christian’s Fears and Joys 116

BIBLIOGRAPHY 123

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