Blaise Pascal

"You see, if the height of the mercury [barometer] column is less on the top of a mountain than at the foot of it (as I have many reasons for believing, although everyone who has so far written about it is of the contrary opinion), it follows that the weight of the air must be the sole cause of the phenomenon, and not that abhorrence of a vacuum, since it is obvious that at the foot of the mountain there is more air to have weight than at the summit, and we cannot possibly say that the air at the foot of the mountain has a greater aversion to empty space than at the top."

8 likes

Source: Blaise Pascal, W. F. Trotter, T. S. Eliot (2003). “Pensees”, p.12, Courier Corporation

About the author

Blaise Pascal

Blaise Pascal

Mathematician, Physicist, Philosopher

Blaise Pascal was a French mathematician, physicist, and philosopher known for his contributions to probability theory and his work 'Pensées' on faith and reason.

All quotes by Blaise Pascal →

Same author

More quotes by Blaise Pascal

See all →
Blaise Pascal Mathematician, Physicist, Philosopher

"Knowing God without knowing our own wretchedness makes for pride. Knowing our own wretchedness without knowing God makes for despair. Knowing Jesus Christ strikes the balance because he shows us both God and our own wretchedness."

Read quote
Blaise Pascal Mathematician, Physicist, Philosopher

"There are only three types of people; those who have found God and serve him; those who have not found God and seek him, and those who live not seeking, or finding him. The first are rational and happy; the second unhappy and rational, and the third foolish and unhappy."

Read quote
Blaise Pascal Mathematician, Physicist, Philosopher

"Either Christianity is true or it's false. If you bet that it's true, and you believe in God and submit to Him, then if it IS true, you've gained God, heaven, and everything else. If it's false, you've lost nothing, but you've had a good life marked by peace and the illusion that ultimately, everything makes sense. If you bet that Christianity is not true, and it's false, you've lost nothing. But if you bet that it's false, and it turns out to be true, you've lost everything and you get to spend eternity in hell."

Read quote