Chance gives rise to thoughts, and chance removes them; no art can keep or acquire them

Chance gives rise to thoughts, and chance removes them; no art can keep or acquire them

Blaise Pascal, a French mathematician, physicist, inventor, writer, and Christian philosopher, is known for his contributions to the fields of mathematics and science, as well as his philosophical musings on the nature of human existence. One of his most famous quotes, "Chance gives rise to thoughts, and chance removes them; no art can keep or acquire them," reflects his belief in the unpredictable and fleeting nature of human thought.

Pascal's quote suggests that our thoughts are not entirely within our control, but are instead influenced by random chance. Thoughts come and go without warning, and no amount of skill or expertise can prevent them from slipping away. This idea challenges the notion that human beings are rational and logical creatures capable of controlling their own minds. Instead, Pascal suggests that our thoughts are subject to the whims of chance, and that we are ultimately at the mercy of forces beyond our understanding.