Tennis and Rivers: Pascal’s Pensees

Berkeley, Saturday, August 8, 2026 10:29 pm

It is interesting that Pascal referred to play tennis in his 22 penseé. That was in the 1700s.

Also, his Penseé 17, refers to rivers:

“Rivers are roads which move, and which carry us whither we desire to go” Pascal’s Pensees.

I assume he lived or vacationed near a navigable river.

I do not think he likes poets too much. Because I think he says that poets makes something beautiful rather than showing the true beauty of truth.

He is entitled to his words. But making something beautiful is quite an art as well, ask an artist otherwise. But I might be wrong with the interpretation of his Pensees 38.

Anyways, Blaise Pascal is one of the best thinkers and mathematicians of all time. Self-educated, I think. But please anyone, correct me on this last fact.