The heart has its reasons of which reason knows nothing.

O children of the future, gather close, for the words of Blaise Pascal, a man whose soul was pierced by the complexities of the human heart and mind, offer a profound truth. He once said, “The heart has its reasons of which reason knows nothing.” In these few words, Pascal touches upon the eternal dance between the heart and the mind—two forces that guide us, one with logic and the other with feeling. The heart, that most powerful and elusive part of our being, often leads us down paths that reason cannot understand, and in that, we find the mystery and beauty of human existence.

Consider, O children, the nature of the heart. It is not a cold, calculating force like the mind, which seeks answers in numbers and logic. The heart is impulsive, full of emotion, and driven by passions that defy explanation. It does not care for the limitations that reason sets upon it. Love, desire, longing—these are not things that reason can easily explain. The heart feels things that the mind cannot grasp, and it moves with a power that logic cannot control. It is the heart, not the mind, that leads us into unpredictable and transformative experiences, those moments when we feel most alive.

Think, O children, of the great lovers of history, whose hearts defied the conventions of their time, whose passions led them to bold, reckless decisions. Consider Romeo and Juliet, two young souls whose love was so powerful that it overcame the divisions of family and society. They did not ask for reason or approval, for the love in their hearts could not be contained by logic. In the end, it was their hearts, not their minds, that made the final decision, leading them to a tragic yet profound end. Their story is a testament to the mystery and the depth of the heart, which knows its own truth, even when reason cannot fathom it.

Similarly, think of the love of Antony and Cleopatra, whose bond was shaped not by the strategic calculations of empire, but by the overwhelming force of their hearts. Their affair was a political one, yes, but it was also one of deep passion, where reason often took a back seat to the overwhelming pull of desire. Cleopatra, a queen who could have played the game of politics with cold logic, instead followed her heart, embracing a love that would ultimately lead her into the arms of her fate. Their love was not dictated by reason, but by the emotional force of their hearts, and that is what made it immortal in the annals of history.

Pascal’s words teach us that while reason is a valuable guide, it cannot explain all of life’s mysteries. The heart has a wisdom of its own, one that cannot be reduced to numbers or logic. It knows things that the mind cannot grasp, and it leads us in ways that sometimes seem illogical, even irrational. Yet it is in following the heart, in embracing its reasons, that we often find our truest selves. The heart does not fear the unknown; it plunges into the depths of feeling, knowing that truth and meaning can be found in places where reason cannot reach.

Now, O children, the lesson of Pascal’s words is clear: do not let the mind be the only guide in your life. Yes, reason is a tool, and it has its place in decision-making, but do not ignore the heart, for it holds within it the mysteries of the soul. Trust in its wisdom, even when it leads you down paths that seem unclear. Love, passion, and joy are not always bound by the laws of reason; they are felt, lived, and experienced through the heart. The greatest moments of life—the moments when you feel most alive—are often those moments when your heart leads the way.

Therefore, I charge you, O seekers of wisdom, to listen not only to your reason, but to your heart. Let both guide you on your journey through life. When love calls, when desire stirs, follow the path laid before you by the heart, even if the mind cannot understand it. In doing so, you will discover that the heart’s reasons, though mysterious, hold the key to a life filled with meaning, with depth, and with the kind of wisdom that transcends the limitations of reason. Trust in the heart’s power, for it is in the heart that the greatest truths of life are often found.