Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 37:146 (Apr 1880)
Article: Pascal The Thinker
Author: Jacob Cooper

BSac 37:146 (April 1880) p. 272

Pascal The Thinker

Prof. Jacob Cooper

To direct the thoughts of cultured minds is the highest prerogative of human intellect. And whether this be effected by original ideas, or the presentation of such as have already become trite in a form which compels attention, the impress of the master workman is equally apparent. For it requires as much grasp of mind to form striking combinations from ideas which have long been common property as was required for their first elaboration.

The exercise of abiding and controlling influence upon thinkers falls to the lot of but few. Indeed, there have been more Alexanders, Caesars, and Napoleons than emperors in the realms of thought. Many, it is true, have aroused the attention of their contemporaries, and have powerfully directed the spirit of their age. But this is usually owing to a happy combination of circumstances bearing them along on the highest wave of a revolution in the minds of men. This may be seen particularly in the case of popular authors and statesmen, who have shrewdness enough to divine the public taste, and sufficient pliancy to shape their own course accordingly. Such are the product of their age, but one that is perishable. They have no influence in moulding public opinion, but are its servile creatures. Hence their influence does not extend below the surface, and when the seething and froth settles all their greatness has evaporated. An

BSac 37:146 (April 1880) p. 273

original genius, on the contrary, is seldom in sympathy with his age, and the true prophet is unhonored in his own country. But he grasps hold of the roots of things. His thoughts are seeds, which contain in themselves the powers of an endless life. Yet these are planted deep, and require a long time to fructify; they are usually unrecognized by the men of the thinker’s day, or else rejected as dangerous innovations. Like Bacon’s reputation, they have to be willed to other ages and nations. Milton was neglected and Shakespeare unappreciated, because no one was found able to interpret them to the common ear.

Again, a thinker may be an acknowledged power during some ages, and then be neglected to such degree that his works are well nigh lost to the world. Aristotle was long looked up to as a master by the philosophers of Greece, then fell so nearly into oblivion that only one copy of his works remained; and even this was lost sight of for many years. Again he reappears, reasserts his authority among the higher order of thinkers, and his dicta are awarded nearly as much reverence by the schoolmen as the holy Scriptures. From his height of honor he descends again, and it becomes the fashion with metaphysicians who never took the trouble, or else had not the ability, to read his works, to ridicu...