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.

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