Benedictus de Spinoza Quotes

In so far as we understand, we can desire nothing but that which must be, nor, in an absolute sense, can we find contentment in anything but truth.

By that which is self-caused, I mean that of which the essence involves existence, or that of which the nature is only conceivable as existent.

Even more, in the created thing, is a perfection that she exists; since the greatest of all imperfections is, not to exist.

In a democratic state nobody transfers his natural right to another so completely that thereafter he is not to be consulted; he transfers it to the majority of the entire community of which he is part. In this way all men remain equal, as they were before in a state of nature.

By substance, I mean that which is in itself, and is conceived through itself: in

If Scripture were to describe the downfall of an empire in the style adopted by political historians, the common people would not be stirred.

I realised that all the things which were the source and object of my anxiety held nothing of good or evil in themselves save in so far as the mind was influenced by them,

Finally, it follows from the preceding proposition that the joy by which the drunkard is enslaved is altogether different from the joy which is the portion of the philosopher, — a think I wished just to hint in passing.

It will be said that, although God’s law is inscribed in our hearts, Scripture is nevertheless the Word of God, and it is no more permissible to say of Scripture that it is mutilated and contaminated than to say this of God’s Word. In reply, I have to say that such objectors are carrying their piety too far, and are turning religion into superstition; indeed, instead of God’s Word they are beginning to worship likenesses and images, that is, paper and ink.

A passion seizes to be a passion as soon as we form a clear idea of it.

The formation of society serves not only for defensive purposes, but is also very useful, and, indeed, absolutely necessary, as rendering possible the division of labor. If men did not render mutual assistance to each other, no one would have either the skill or the time to provide for his own sustenance and preservation: for all men are not equally apt for all work, and no one would be capable of preparing all that he individually stood in need of. Strength and time, I repeat, would fail, if every one had in person to plow, to sow, to reap, to grind corn, to cook, to weave, to stitch and perform the other numerous functions required to keep life going; to say nothing of the arts and sciences which are also entirely necessary to the perfection and blessedness of human nature.

aquele que quer responder às injúrias com o ódio vive na tristeza ou na mágoa, aquele que quer vencer o ódio com o amor combate alegremente e sem temor. Triunfa tanto sobre um grande número de inimigos quanto sobre um único, prescindindo de todo socorro da fortuna. Aqueles a quem ele consegue vencer ficam alegres por terem sido derrotados; e, derrotados, eles não são menos fortes; ao contrário, são mais fortes.

Il est contre le bon sens de mettre une enveloppe précieuse à des choses de néant ou de peu de valeur.

Este esfuerzo por conseguir que cada cual apruebe aquello que
uno ama u odia es, en realidad, ambición; y así vemos que cada cual
apetece, por naturaleza, que los demás vivan según la índole propia
de él. Pero como todos lo apetecen a la vez, a la vez se estorban
unos a otros, y como todos quieren ser alabados y amados por todos, se tienen odio unos a otros.

The body itself, simply from the laws of its own nature, can do many things which its mind wonders at … it is in the mind’s power alone both to speak and to be silent and to do many other things which they therefore believe depend on the mind’s decision … if, on the other hand, the body is inactive, the mind is at the same time incapable of thinking