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

Quote by Baruch Spinoza

Topics: Baruch Spinoza Quotes

Happiness is a virtue, not its reward

Happiness is a virtue, not its reward

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,...

All things excellent are as difficult as they are rare.

All things excellent are as difficult as they are rare.

Blessedness is not the reward of virtue but virtue itself.

Blessedness is not the reward of virtue but virtue itself.

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...

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...

We feel and know that we are eternal.

We feel and know that we are eternal.

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 in the universe is contingent, but all things are conditioned to exist and operate...

Nothing in the universe is contingent, but all things are conditioned to exist and operate...

Nothing exists from whose nature some effect does not follow.

Nothing exists from whose nature some effect does not follow.

True virtue is life under the direction of reason.

True virtue is life under the direction of reason.

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,...

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...

Desire is the very essence of man

Desire is the very essence of man

All happiness or unhappiness solely depends upon the quality of the object to which we...

All happiness or unhappiness solely depends upon the quality of the object to which we...

All noble things are as difficult as they are rare.

All noble things are as difficult as they are rare.

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...

I call him free who is led solely by reason.

I call him free who is led solely by reason.