In practical life we are compelled to follow what is most probable ; in speculative thought we are compelled to follow truth. Baruch Spinoza More Quotes by Baruch Spinoza More Quotes From Baruch Spinoza The more you struggle to live, the less you live. Give up the notion that you must be sure of what you are doing. Instead, surrender to what is real within you, for that alone is sure....you are above everything distressing. Baruch Spinoza giving-up real struggle The highest activity a human being can attain is learning for understanding, because to understand is to be free. Baruch Spinoza understanding education inspirational What Paul says about Peter tells us more about Paul than about Peter. Baruch Spinoza peter silence No matter how thin you slice it, there will always be two sides. Baruch Spinoza ive-learned two-sides matter The most tyrannical of governments are those which make crimes of opinions, for everyone has an inalienable right to his thoughts. Baruch Spinoza political government truth If you want the present to be different from the past, study the past. Baruch Spinoza philosophical learning past Men believe themselves to be free, simply because they are conscious of their actions, and unconscious of the causes whereby those actions are determined. Baruch Spinoza causes men believe Reason connot defeat emotion, an emotion can only be displaced or overcome by a stronger emotion. Baruch Spinoza stronger emotion overcoming The highest endeavor of the mind, and the highest virtue, it to understand things by intuition. Baruch Spinoza intuition understanding wisdom The holy word of God is on everyone's lips...but...we see almost everyone presenting their own versions of God's word, with the sole purpose of using religion as a pretext for making others think as they do. Baruch Spinoza lips purpose thinking The world would be happier if men had the same capacity to be silent that they have to speak. Baruch Spinoza philosophical communication men Nothing in nature is by chance... Something appears to be chance only because of our lack of knowledge. Baruch Spinoza chance nature life God is not He who is, but That which is. Baruch Spinoza The more clearly you understand yourself and your emotions, the more you become a lover of what is. Baruch Spinoza emotional emotion love He who lives according to the guidance of reason strives as much as possible to repay the hatred, anger, or contempt of others towards himself with love or generosity. ...hatred is increased by reciprocal hatred, and, on the other hand, can be extinguished by love, so that hatred passes into love. Baruch Spinoza generosity life hands When a man is prey to his emotions, he is not his own master. Baruch Spinoza prey emotion men A good thing which prevents us from enjoying a greater good is in truth an evil. Baruch Spinoza enjoy good-things evil He who seeks equality between unequals seeks an absurdity. Baruch Spinoza absurdity Men who are ruled by reason desire nothing for themselves which they would not wish for all mankind. Baruch Spinoza wish desire men We feel and know that we are eternal. Baruch Spinoza immortality philosophical awareness
