“ Etienne Pascal's mistake is a notable instance of a common error, which, for the sake of a theory, or more often of a preconceived plan, would thwart the natural dispositions of a child. Nature is usually stronger than the pedagogue, and it is better that she should be helped to the full use of her powers, than maimed and weakened by enforced constraints. ”

“ My father answered, 'I do not weep for sorrow, but for joy. You know the pains I have taken to keep my son from any knowledge of geometry, lest it should divert him from his other studies; nevertheless, see what he has done!' Upon that, he shewed him all that he had discovered; how, so to speak, the child had invented mathematics. M. Le Pailleur was not less surprised than my father had been, and told him that ho did not think it right to keep such a mind captive any longer, or to hide this knowledge from it, and that without holding him back any more, he must let him see books. ”

“ To Blaise Pascal belongs the most popular name associated with Port Royal. His fame is not the exclusive property of any community; it is shared by his country. And there is a certain typical character about his career which, to tho admiration that is felt 10 his genius, adds a deeper and more universal interest. In his fiery soul there was intensified that conflict between the material and spiritual elements of our being which all men in some degree experience. ”

“ So large a nature, however, could not be absorbed in the small vanities of life; and there is little doubt that the experiences of this period helped to enrich and ripen, and make more deeply human, his philosophy. ”

“ By their doctrine of probability, which allowed a man to follow, as probably true, the opinion of any casuist of repute on specified cases of conscience, all sorts of iniquity were excused; for casuists took opposite views, and as neither view, under the supposition, could be wrong, every man was virtually at liberty to please himself. ”

“ One day, when the long contest at the Sorbonne was drawing to a close, Arnauld was urged by his friends to make some effort to instruct the public as to the matters at issue. Great misapprehensions prevailed, and he consented to try. Pascal, who was then thirty-three years of age, and who had been about a year under the direction of Singlin, and for some time residont at Port Royal des Champs, was present when the popular statement thus suggested was produced. ”