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

Quote by Baruch Spinoza

Topics: Baruch Spinoza Quotes

Peace is not an absence of war, it is a virtue, a state of mind,...

Peace is not an absence of war, it is a virtue, a state of mind,...

Desire is the very essence of man.

Desire is the very essence of man.

Do not weep; do not wax indignant. Understand.

Do not weep; do not wax indignant. Understand.

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...

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...

Nothing exists from whose nature some effect does not follow.

Nothing exists from whose nature some effect does not follow.

Hatred is increased by being reciprocated, and can on the other hand be destroyed by...

Hatred is increased by being reciprocated, and can on the other hand be destroyed by...

Music is good to the melancholy, bad to those who mourn, and neither good nor...

Music is good to the melancholy, bad to those who mourn, and neither good nor...

I call him free who is led solely by reason.

I call him free who is led solely by reason.

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

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

All noble things are as difficult as they are rare.

All noble things are as difficult as they are rare.

Fame has also this great drawback, that if we pursue it, we must direct our...

Fame has also this great drawback, that if we pursue it, we must direct our...

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...

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...

Ambition is the immoderate desire for power.

Ambition is the immoderate desire for power.

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...

We always long for the forbidden things, and desire what is denied us.

We always long for the forbidden things, and desire what is denied us.

To wish a healthy man to die is the wish from a mind of sickness....

To wish a healthy man to die is the wish from a mind of sickness....

Men go to far greater lengths to avoid what they fear than to obtain what...

Men go to far greater lengths to avoid what they fear than to obtain what...

We should expect the best and the worst of mankind, as from the weather.

We should expect the best and the worst of mankind, as from the weather.

There's small Revenge in Words, but Words may be greatly revenged

There's small Revenge in Words, but Words may be greatly revenged