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Two thinkers, side by side

Life

Pascal

1623 CE – 1662 CE

Early Modern

Born Clermont-Ferrand

Mathematical genius turned anguished believer. The heart has reasons, he wrote, that reason does not know.

Montaigne

1533 CE – 1592 CE

SkepticEarly Modern

Born Bordeaux

He invented the essay to ask a single question of everything: what do I know? His honest answer was, almost nothing for certain.

Connection

Montaigne admired and resisted Pascal — Pascal wrestled with Montaigne, borrowing the force of his skepticism while recoiling from its worldly calm.

Ideas

Faith & Reason Reason

Skepticism Methodical Doubt

Words

“The heart has its reasons, of which reason knows nothing.”
— Pascal

“What do I know?”
— Montaigne

Key Moments

1623 CE

Born in Clermont

1654 CE

The Night of Fire

c. 1658 CE

The Pensées

c. 1660 CE

The Wager

1533 CE

Born near Bordeaux

1571 CE

Retreat to the Tower

c. 1580 CE

What Do I Know?

1592 CE

Death at Montaigne

Works

Pensees

Essays