Let us conclude then that, since man is now unrighteous since the first sin, and God is unwilling that he should thereby not be estranged from Him, it is only by a first effect that he is not estranged.

Therefore, those who depart from God have not this first effect without which they are not estranged from God, and those who do not depart from God have this first effect.  Therefore, those whom we have seen possessed for some time of grace by this first effect, cease to pray, for want of this first effect.

        Then God abandons the first in this sense.

It is doubtful, however that this fragment should be included in the Pensees, and it has seemed best to separate it from the text.  It has only once before appeared—­in the edition of Michaut (1896).  The first half of it has been freely translated in order to give an interpretation in accordance with a suggestion from M. Emile Boutroux, the eminent authority on Pascal.  The meaning seems to be this.  In one sense it is in our power to ask from God, who promises to give us what we ask.  But, in another sense, it is not in our power to ask; for it is not in our power to obtain the grace which is necessary in asking.  We know that salvation is not in our power.  Therefore some condition of salvation is not in our power.  Now the conditions of salvation are two:  (1) The asking for it, and (2) the obtaining it.  But God promises to give us what we ask.  Hence the obtaining is in our power.  Therefore the condition which is not in our power must be the first, namely, the asking.  Prayer presupposes a grace which it is not within our power to obtain.

After giving the utmost consideration to the second half of this obscure fragment, and seeking assistance from some eminent scholars, the translator has been compelled to give a strictly literal translation of it, without attempting to make sense.

[196] P. 141, l. 14. Lord, when saw we, etc.—­Matthew xxv, 37.

[197] P. 143, l. 19. Qui justus est, justificetur adhuc.—­Apoc. xxii,
      II.

[198] P. 144, l. 2. Corneille.—­See his Horace, II, iii.

[199] P. 144, l. 15. Corrumpunt mores, etc.—­I Cor. xv, 33.

[200] P. 145. l. 25. Quod curiositate, etc.—­St. Augustine, Sermon
      CXLI.

[201] P. 146, l. 34. Quia ... facere.—­I Cor. i, 21.

[202] P. 148, l. 7. Turbare semetipsum.—­John xi, 33.  The text is
      turbavit seipsum.

[203] P. 148, l. 25. My soul is sorrowful even unto death.—­Mark xiv,
      34.

[204] P. 149, l. 3. Eamus.  Processit.—­John xviii, 4.  But eamus does
      not occur.  See, however, Matthew xxvi, 46.

[205] P. 150, l. 36. Eritis sicut, etc.—­Genesis iv, 5.