Ambition is the immoderate desire for power.

Quote by Baruch Spinoza

Topics: Baruch Spinoza Quotes

I do not know how to teach philosophy without becoming a disturber of established religion

I do not know how to teach philosophy without becoming a disturber of established religion

For peace is not mere absence of war, but is a virtue that springs from,...

For peace is not mere absence of war, but is a virtue that springs from,...

Be not astonished at new ideas; for it is well known to you that a...

Be not astonished at new ideas; for it is well known to you that a...

Self-complacency is pleasure accompanied by the idea of oneself as cause.

Self-complacency is pleasure accompanied by the idea of oneself as cause.

There is no hope unmingled with fear, and no fear unmingled with hope.

There is no hope unmingled with fear, and no fear unmingled with hope.

Happiness is a virtue, not its reward.

Happiness is a virtue, not its reward.

Sin cannot be conceived in a natural state, but only in a civil state, where...

Sin cannot be conceived in a natural state, but only in a civil state, where...

None are more taken in by flattery than the proud, who wish to be the...

None are more taken in by flattery than the proud, who wish to be the...

If men were born free, they would, so long as they remained free, form no...

If men were born free, they would, so long as they remained free, form no...

Be not astonished at new ideas; for it is well known to you that a...

Be not astonished at new ideas; for it is well known to you that a...

Sin cannot be conceived in a natural state, but only in a civil state, where...

Sin cannot be conceived in a natural state, but only in a civil state, where...

If you want the present to be different from the past, study the past.

If you want the present to be different from the past, study the past.

Whatsoever is contrary to nature is contrary to reason, and whatsoever is contrary to reason...

Whatsoever is contrary to nature is contrary to reason, and whatsoever is contrary to reason...

Fear cannot be without hope nor hope without fear.

Fear cannot be without hope nor hope without fear.

True virtue is life under the direction of reason.

True virtue is life under the direction of reason.

Blessedness is not the reward of virtue but virtue itself.

Blessedness is not the reward of virtue but virtue itself.

Peace is not the absence of war, but a virtue based on strength of character.

Peace is not the absence of war, but a virtue based on strength of character.

The highest activity a human being can attain is learning for understanding, because to understand...

The highest activity a human being can attain is learning for understanding, because to understand...

Freedom is coming to mean little more than the right to ask permission

Freedom is coming to mean little more than the right to ask permission

Who then is free? The one who wisely is lord of themselves, who neither poverty,...

Who then is free? The one who wisely is lord of themselves, who neither poverty,...

A teacher who is attempting to teach without inspiring the pupil with a desire to...

A teacher who is attempting to teach without inspiring the pupil with a desire to...

The secret of forgiving everything is to understand nothing

The secret of forgiving everything is to understand nothing