A review by theologiaviatorum
Pensées by Blaise Pascal

challenging informative reflective slow-paced

5.0

I don't think I have enjoyed reading any book so much since I read "Orthodoxy" by G.K. Chesterton. In fact, I might say that Pascal was a sort of 17th century Chesterton. I would be shocked if Chesterton were not intentionally pulling from him. Anyway, Blaise Pascal's Pensées was intended to be a systematic defense of the Christian religion but he died before he could finish it. Peter Kreeft once said that is where its genius lies. He said if Pascal had finished it he would have ruined it. As it stands the Pensées are a collection of notes. It is full of aphoristic wisdom and immensely quotable. I have rarely marked and noted so thoroughly in any book. I feel sure that I will read and re-read this book again and again. Would that people would spend a bit more time with Pascal and less time with Descartes.