For much of his life, Pascal (1623-62) worked on a magnum opus that was never published in its intended form. Instead, he left a mass of fragments, some of which were meant as notes for the Apologie. These fragments became known as the Pensées and occupy a crucial place in Western philosophy and religious writing. Pascal's general intention was to confound skepticism about metaphysical questions. Some of the Pensées are fully developed literary reflections on the human condition, some contradict others, and some remain jottings whose meaning will never be clear. The most important are among the most powerful aphorisms about human experience and behavior ever written in any language. This translation is the only one based on the Pensées as Pascal left them. It includes the principal dossiers classified by Pascal as well as the essential portion of the important Writings on Grace. A detailed thematic index provides access to Pascal's areas of concern, while the selection of texts and the introduction help to show why Pascal changed the plan of his projected work before abandoning the book he might have written.

About the series: For over 100 years, Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.