Who said "Try to play the angel and you end up playing the beast."?

Pascal (1623–1662). Source: Pensées 358 (Brunschvicg).

What is the original French?

L'homme n'est ni ange ni bête, et le malheur veut que qui veut faire l'ange fait la bête. Translated from the original French by Spartan Surfers.

Is "Try to play the angel and you end up playing the beast." on a shirt?

Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

L'homme n'est ni ange ni bête, et le malheur veut que qui veut faire l'ange fait la bête

Try to play the angel and you end up playing the beast.

Pascal, Pensées 358 (Brunschvicg)

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What it means

Humans are neither angels nor animals, Pascal says. Pretending to be above human needs tends to end in the worst behavior. Accept your nature and work with it.

The source

"Try to play the angel and you end up playing the beast." Pascal said it in Pensées 358 (Brunschvicg). Translated from the original French by Spartan Surfers.

"L'homme n'est ni ange ni bête, et le malheur veut que qui veut faire l'ange fait la bête"

Original French, Pensées 358 (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 "Try to play the angel and you end up playing the beast." mean?: Humans are neither angels nor animals, Pascal says. Pretending to be above human needs tends to end in the worst behavior. Accept your nature and work with it.
Who said "Try to play the angel and you end up playing the beast."?: Pascal (1623–1662). Source: Pensées 358 (Brunschvicg).
What is the original French?: L'homme n'est ni ange ni bête, et le malheur veut que qui veut faire l'ange fait la bête. Translated from the original French by Spartan Surfers.
Is "Try to play the angel and you end up playing the beast." on a shirt?: Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

Cite this line

"Try to play the angel and you end up playing the beast." (Pascal, Pensées 358 (Brunschvicg), translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/try-to-play-the-angel-and-you-end