All human trouble comes from not being able to sit quietly in a room.

Pascal, Pensées 139 (Brunschvicg)

What it means

Pascal noticed that people run to war, sea and court to escape being alone with themselves. Restlessness causes much of our misery. Practice sitting still.

The source

"All human trouble comes from not being able to sit quietly in a room." Pascal said it in Pensées 139 (Brunschvicg). Translated from the original French by Spartan Surfers.

"tout le malheur des hommes vient d'une seule chose, qui est de ne savoir pas demeurer en repos dans une chambre"

Original French, Pensées 139 (Brunschvicg). Text read at archive.org.

Who said it

Pascal (1623–1662). French mathematician and inventor who left his notes on the human condition unfinished. They were published after his death as the Pensées.

Questions

What does "All human trouble comes from not being able to sit quietly in a room." mean?: Pascal noticed that people run to war, sea and court to escape being alone with themselves. Restlessness causes much of our misery. Practice sitting still.
Who said "All human trouble comes from not being able to sit quietly in a room."?: Pascal (1623–1662). Source: Pensées 139 (Brunschvicg).
What is the original French?: tout le malheur des hommes vient d'une seule chose, qui est de ne savoir pas demeurer en repos dans une chambre. Translated from the original French by Spartan Surfers.
Is "All human trouble comes from not being able to sit quietly in a room." on a shirt?: Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 6 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

Cite this line

"All human trouble comes from not being able to sit quietly in a room." (Pascal, Pensées 139 (Brunschvicg), translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/all-human-trouble-comes-from-not-being-able