s _probable_ that this food will not poison
me. It is _probable_ that I shall not lose my action by not prosecuting
it ...

922

It is not absolution only which remits sins by the sacrament of penance,
but contrition, which is not real if it does not seek the sacrament.

923

People who do not keep their word, without faith, without honour,
without truth, deceitful in heart, deceitful in speech; for which that
amphibious animal in fable was once reproached, which held itself in a
doubtful position between the fish and the birds ...

It is important to kings and princes to be considered pious; and
therefore they must confess themselves to you.

NOTES

The following brief notes are mainly based on those of M. Brunschvicg.
But those of MM. Faugere, Molinier, and Havet have also been consulted.
The biblical references are to the Authorised English Version. Those in
the text are to the Vulgate, except where it has seemed advisable to
alter the reference to the English Version.

[1] P. 1, l. 1. _The difference between the mathematical and the
intuitive mind._--Pascal is here distinguishing the logical or
discursive type of mind, a good example of which is found in
mathematical reasoning, and what we should call the intuitive type
of mind, which sees everything at a glance. A practical man of sound
judgment exemplifies the latter; for he is in fact guided by
impressions of past experience, and does not consciously reason from
general principles.

[2] P. 2, l. 34. _There are different kinds_, etc.--This is probably a
subdivision of the discursive type of mind.

[3] P. 3, l. 31. _By rule._--This is an emendation by M. Brunschvicg.
The MS. has _sans regle_.

[4] P. 4, l. 3. _I judge by my watch._--Pascal is said to have always
carried a watch attached to his left wrist-band.

[5] P. 5, l. 21. _Scaramouch._--A traditional character in Italian
comedy.

[6] P. 5, l. 22. _The doctor._--Also a traditional character in Italian
comedy.

[7] P. 5, l. 24. _Cleobuline._--Princess, and afterwards Queen of
Corinth, figures in the romance of Mademoiselle de Scudery, entitled
_Artamene ou le Grand Cyrus_. She is enamoured of one of her
subjects, Myrinthe. But she "loved him without thinking of love; and
remained so long in that error, that this affection was no longer in
a state to be overcome, when she became aware of it." The character
is