If you want the present to be different from the past, study the past.
BARUCH SPINOZAIf you want the present to be different from the past, study the past.
BARUCH SPINOZAIn practical life we are compelled to follow what is most probable ; in speculative thought we are compelled to follow truth.
BARUCH SPINOZASadness diminishes a man’s powers.
BARUCH SPINOZANothing in nature is by chance. Something appears to be chance only because of our lack of knowledge.
BARUCH SPINOZANothing in Nature is random. A thing appears random only through the incompleteness of our knowledge.
BARUCH SPINOZAAll happiness or unhappiness solely depends upon the quality of the object to which we are attached by love.
BARUCH SPINOZAWhat everyone wants from life is continuous and genuine happiness.
BARUCH SPINOZAMinds, however, are conquered not by arms, but by love and nobility.
BARUCH SPINOZADo not weep; do not wax indignant. Understand.
BARUCH SPINOZANature offers nothing that can be called this man’s rather than another’s; but under nature everything belongs to all.
BARUCH SPINOZAI call him free who is led solely by reason.
BARUCH SPINOZAPeace is not the absence of war, it is a virtue, a state of mind, a disposition of benevolence, confidence, justice.
BARUCH SPINOZAWhat Paul says about Peter tells us more about Paul than about Peter.
BARUCH SPINOZAHe alone is free who lives with free consent under the entire guidance of reason.
BARUCH SPINOZAPhilosophy has no end in view save truth; faith looks for nothing but obedience and piety.
BARUCH SPINOZAGod is not He who is, but That which is.
BARUCH SPINOZA