Had it been possible, men would have put might
into the hands of right.
But we cannot handle might as we would like,
since it is a palpable quality,
whereas right is a spiritual quality
which we manipulate at will.
Therefore, right has been put into the hands of might,
and that which we are obliged to do,
we give the name right.





Hence derives the right of the sword,
because the sword confers a genuine right.







Blaise Pascal, Pensees