We do not content ourselves with the life we have in ourselves and in our own being; we desire to live an imaginary life in the mind of others, and for this purpose we endeavour to shine. We labour unceasingly to adorn and preserve this imaginary existence, and neglect the real. And if we possess calmness, or generosity, or truthfulness, we are eager to make it known, so as to attach these virtues to that imaginary existence. We would rather separate them from ourselves to join them to it; and we would willingly be cowards in order to acquire the reputation of being brave. A great proof of the nothingness of our being, not to be satisfied with the one without the other, and to renounce the one for the other! For he would be infamous who would not die to preserve his honour. Blaise Pascal
About This Quote

Who would not die to preserve his honour? The phrase speaks of the idea that you should always try to do the right thing, even if it means losing something for yourself. When you do your best, you should be proud of your legacy. You should take pride in your work and be proud of what you have accomplished. You should take pride in how well you treat others, even if you do not treat them the same way they treat you.

People who act like this are admirable because they never act out of selfishness. They never act without thinking about the consequences to others. They are able to think about other people’s feelings just as much as their own feelings.

The only way to attain this outlook is by doing what is right no matter what it may cost you, even if you lose something in return.

Source: PensaEs

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