Le nez de Cleopatre, s'il eut ete plus court, toute la face de la terre aurait change.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- If Cleopatra’s nose had been shorter, the whole face of the earth would have changed.
- In plain terms
- A tiny change in Cleopatra’s nose could have altered world history.
- What can you take from it?
- Small details can have huge impacts.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What minor factors shape major events?
- How do we identify critical details?
Another view
Most historical changes come from larger forces, not single features.
More from Blaise Pascal
The grandeur of man is great in that he knows himself to be miserable.
Permalink to quote #49 The two principles of truth, reason and senses, are not only both not genuine, but are engaged in mutual deception. The senses deceive reason through false app…
Permalink to quote #51 The fairest man in the world is not allowed to be judge in his own cause.
Permalink to quote #48
Related quotes
History is moving in zig-zags and by roundabout ways.
Vladimir LeninVladimir Lenin quote #11 If Paulus's army had capitulated before the end, the Russians would have had the advantage of withdrawing forces against Paulus and against the southern front,…
Erich von MansteinErich von Manstein quote #1 Die glucklichsten Zeiten der Menschheit sind die leeren Blatter im Buch der Geschichte.
Leopold von RankeLeopold von Ranke quote #1