And although Pascal brings to his work the same powers which he exerte… — Pensées
SAPIR 861
And although Pascal brings to his work the same powers which he exerted in science, it is not as a scientist that he presents himself. He does not seem to say to the reader: I am one of the most distinguished scientists of the day; I understand many matters which will always be mysteries to you, and through science I have come to the Faith; you therefore who are not initiated into science ought to have faith if I have it. He is fully aware of the difference of subject-matter; and his famous distinction between the _esprit de géométrie_ and the _esprit de finesse_ is one to ponder over. It is the just combination of the scientist, the _honnête homme_, and the religious nature with a passionate craving for God, that makes Pascal unique. He succeeds where Descartes fails; for in Descartes the element of _esprit de géométrie_ is excessive.[C] And in a few phrases about Descartes, in the pres
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