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

Quote by Baruch Spinoza

Topics: Baruch Spinoza Quotes

Nothing exists from whose nature some effect does not follow.

Nothing exists from whose nature some effect does not follow.

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

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

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...

Whatsoever is, is in God, and without God nothing can be, or be conceived.

Whatsoever is, is in God, and without God nothing can be, or be conceived.

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.

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...

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...

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...

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...

Desire is the very essence of man.

Desire is the very essence of man.

Desire is the essence of a man.

Desire is the essence of a man.

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

I call him free who is led solely by reason.

I call him free who is led solely by reason.

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.

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...

Fear cannot be without hope nor hope without fear.

Fear cannot be without hope nor hope without fear.

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...

He alone is free who lives with free consent under the entire guidance of reason.

He alone is free who lives with free consent under the entire guidance of reason.

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...