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

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...

I call him free who is led solely by reason.

I call him free who is led solely by reason.

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...

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

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

The world would be happier if men had the same capacity to be silent that...

The world would be happier if men had the same capacity to be silent that...

All things excellent are as difficult as they are rare.

All things excellent are as difficult as they are rare.

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...

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...

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.

Pride is pleasure arising from a man's thinking too highly of himself.

Pride is pleasure arising from a man's thinking too highly of himself.

Ambition is the immoderate desire for power.

Ambition is the immoderate desire for power.

Pride is pleasure arising from a man's thinking too highly of himself.

Pride is pleasure arising from a man's thinking too highly of himself.

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,...

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

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...

Happiness is a virtue, not its reward.

Happiness is a virtue, not its reward.

So long as a man imagines that he cannot do this or that, so long...

So long as a man imagines that he cannot do this or that, so long...

Nothing exists from whose nature some effect does not follow.

Nothing exists from whose nature some effect does not follow.

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.

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.