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About this quote

What does it mean?
The wisest reason adopts principles that imagination has rashly introduced everywhere.
In plain terms
Wise reasoning follows ideas that imagination has boldly spread.
What can you take from it?
Let creative imagination guide rational thought.

Where it applies

  • innovation
  • problem solving
  • artistic creation

Putting it to work

  • brainstorm before analysis
  • use analogies

Questions to consider

  • When should imagination be restrained?
  • How to test imaginative ideas?

Another view

Imagination can also lead to fanciful, unsupported ideas.

More from Blaise Pascal

  1. 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…

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  2. There no doubt exist natural laws, but once this fine reason of ours was corrupted, it corrupted everything.

    Permalink to quote #53
  3. Le nez de Cleopatre, s'il eut ete plus court, toute la face de la terre aurait change.

    Permalink to quote #50

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