Quotes and anectdotes from the wise to the foolish, and the courageous to the drunk

Baruch Spinoza Philosopher

  • Gender: Male
  • Citizenship: Dutch Republic
  • Born: Nov 24, 1632
  • Died: Feb 21, 1677

Baruch Spinoza was a Dutch philosopher. The breadth and importance of Spinoza's work was not fully realized until many years after his death. By laying the groundwork for the 18th-century Enlightenment and modern biblical criticism, including modern conceptions of the self and, arguably, the universe, he came to be considered one of the great rationalists of 17th-century philosophy. His magnum opus, the posthumous Ethics, in which he opposed Descartes's mind-body dualism, has earned him recognition as one of Western philosophy's most important thinkers. In the Ethics, "Spinoza wrote the last indisputable Latin masterpiece, and one in which the refined conceptions of medieval philosophy are finally turned against themselves and destroyed entirely." Philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel said of all contemporary philosophers, "You are either a Spinozist or not a philosopher at all."

Spinoza's given name in different languages is Hebrew: ברוך שפינוזה„ Baruch Spinoza, Portuguese: Benedito or Bento de Espinosa and Latin: Benedictus de Spinoza; in all these languages, the given name means "the Blessed". Spinoza was raised in the Portuguese Jewish community in Amsterdam.

The highest activity a human being can attain is learning for understanding, because to understand is to be free. learning

There is no hope unmingled with fear, and no fear unmingled with hope. fear & hope

Only that thing is free which exists by the necessities of its own nature, and is determined in its actions by itself alone. alone & nature

Those who are believed to be most abject and humble are usually most ambitious and envious. jealousy

Do not weep do not wax indignant. Understand. motivational

For peace is not mere absence of war, but is a virtue that springs from, a state of mind, a disposition for benevolence, confidence, justice. peace & war

Fear cannot be without hope nor hope without fear. fear, hope & motivational

Peace is not an absence of war, it is a virtue, a state of mind, a disposition for benevolence, confidence, justice. peace & war

I do not know how to teach philosophy without becoming a disturber of established religion. religion

All happiness or unhappiness solely depends upon the quality of the object to which we are attached by love. happiness & love

Happiness is a virtue, not its reward. happiness

Nothing exists from whose nature some effect does not follow. nature

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

Freedom is absolutely necessary for the progress in science and the liberal arts. freedom & science

Peace is not the absence of war, but a virtue based on strength of character. peace, strength & war

Whatsoever is contrary to nature is contrary to reason, and whatsoever is contrary to reason is absurd. nature

To give aid to every poor man is far beyond the reach and power of every man. Care of the poor is incumbent on society as a whole. power & society

Ambition is the immoderate desire for power. power

Thanksgiving November 28, 2024

The thankful receiver bears a plentiful harvest. 32 other quotes from William Blake

32 other quotes from William Blake

Drink and be thankful to the host! What seems insignificant when you have it, is important when you need it. 6 more thoughts from Franz Grillparzer

6 more thoughts from Franz Grillparzer

For what I have received may the Lord make me truly thankful. And more truly for what I have not received. 2 wisdom & wit from Storm Jameson

2 wisdom & wit from Storm Jameson

To give thanks in solitude is enough. Thanksgiving has wings and goes where it must go. Your prayer knows much more about it than you do. 73 quotes from Victor Hugo

73 quotes from Victor Hugo