The heart has its reasons of which reason knows nothing.

[giddyman]

The heart has its reasons of which reason knows nothing.

Blaise Pascal Quotes

"The heart has its reasons of which reason knows..." - Blaise Pascal quotes from BrainyQuote.com

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I'm lost. What does the above sentence mean?

 

[Barque]

"Reasons" in that sentence refers to reasons for doing something, while "reason" refers to reasoning or thinking, i.e. the mind.

Sometimes you do things because your heart (instinct) tells you to, and your mind can't make sense of why you feel that way.

 

[Tarheel]

The word "heart" is often used that way, especially in poetic language. Heart - feelings

 

[jutfrank]

Pascal is talking about faith in God. You cannot know God through reason but only through the heart.

Here's the quote in a more revealing context:

Le cœur a ses raisons, que la raison ne connaît point. On le sent en mille choses. C'est le cœur qui sent Dieu, et non la raison. Voilà ce que c'est que la foi parfaite, Dieu sensible au cœur.