46 Doubt about doubt. 'What a good pillow doubt is for a wellconstructed head!' this saying of Montaigne's22 always provoked Pascal23, for no one longed for a good pillow as much as he did. Whatever was wrong? 22. Montaigne (1533-82): French essayist, author of Essais, which reflects a spirit of skepticism and inspiration from the study of the classics.
23. Pascal (1623-62): French philosopher and scientist. Wrote the Pensées and contributed to probability theory, number theory, and geometry, among other fields. The reference to the need for the pillow probably stems from Pascal's well-known painful preoccupation with God and religion, death and immortality, concerns that have overshadowed his other contributions. |