Ambition is the immoderate desire for power.

Quote by Baruch Spinoza

Topics: Baruch Spinoza Quotes

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...

The endeavor to understand is the first and only basis of virtue.

The endeavor to understand is the first and only basis of virtue.

God is the indwelling and not the transient cause of all things

God is the indwelling and not the transient cause of all things

Men govern nothing with more difficulty than their tongues, and can moderate their desires more...

Men govern nothing with more difficulty than their tongues, and can moderate their desires more...

Only that thing is free which exists by the necessities of its own nature, and...

Only that thing is free which exists by the necessities of its own nature, and...

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.

God is the indwelling and not the transient cause of all things.

God is the indwelling and not the transient cause of all things.

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...

Desire is the very essence of man

Desire is the very essence of man

The greatest pride, or the greatest despondency, is the greatest ignorance of one's self.

The greatest pride, or the greatest despondency, is the greatest ignorance of one's self.

All things excellent are as difficult as they are rare.

All things excellent are as difficult as they are rare.

True virtue is life under the direction of reason.

True virtue is life under the direction of reason.

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.

Freedom is absolutely necessary for the progress in science and the liberal arts

Freedom is absolutely necessary for the progress in science and the liberal arts

It may easily come to pass that a vain man may become proud and imagine...

It may easily come to pass that a vain man may become proud and imagine...

Nothing exists from whose nature some effect does not follow.

Nothing exists from whose nature some effect does not follow.

Those who are believed to be most abject and humble are usually most ambitious and...

Those who are believed to be most abject and humble are usually most ambitious and...

Happiness is a virtue, not its reward.

Happiness is a virtue, not its reward.

We feel and know that we are eternal.

We feel and know that we are eternal.

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

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