Pensées (Thoughts) [translated by W. F. Trotter with an introduction by Thomas S. Kepler]

Blaise Pascal was a 17th century French scientist, author, and Christian philosopher who is best known for his work, “Pensées” or “Thoughts.” First published posthumously in 1670, “Thoughts” is an edited compilation of the notes that Pascal had prepared for a planned work that scholars refer to as an “Apology for the Christian Religion.” Given its incompleteness when Pascal died, the order and composition of the work has been debated and as a result has produced many variant publications. In spite of their incompleteness and frequent incoherence, “Thoughts” has long held a high place among the great classics of the Christian religion. Much of the theological argument implied in these utterances has little appeal to the modern mind, but the acuteness of the observation of human life, the subtlety of the reasoning, the combination of precision and fervid imagination in the expression, make this a book to which the discerning mind can return again and again for insight and inspiration. This edition follows the translation of W. F. Trotter with an introduction by Thomas S. Kepler.