83 quotes
I do not presume that I have found the best philosophy, I know that I understand the true philosophy.
Nature is satisfied with little; and if she is, I am also.
The Story of Philosophy (1933)
All laws which can be broken without any injury to another, are counted but a laughing-stock, and are so far from bridling the desires and lusts of men, that on the contrary they stimulate them.
Political Treatise (1677)
A free man thinks of death least of all things; and his wisdom is a meditation not of death but of life.
Ethics (1677)
If slavery, barbarism and desolation are to be called peace, men can have no worse misfortune.
Political Treatise (1677)
Peace is not an absence of war, it is a virtue, a state of mind, a disposition for benevolence, confidence, justice.
Theological-Political treatise (1670)
The human mind has an adequate knowledge of the eternal and infinite essence of God.
Ethics (1677)
Fear cannot be without hope nor hope without fear.
Men believe themselves to be free, simply because they are conscious of their actions, and unconscious of the causes whereby those actions are determined.
Nature offers nothing that can be called this man's rather than another's ; but, under nature, everything belongs to all — that is, they have authority to claim it for themselves.
Political Treatise (1677)
In the state of nature, wrong-doing is impossible ; or, if anyone does wrong, it is to himself, not to another.
Political Treatise (1677)
Slavery, then, and not peace, is furthered by handing the whole authority to one man.
Political Treatise (1677)
My opinion concerning God differs widely from that which is ordinarily defended by modern Christians. For I hold that God is of all things the cause immanent, as the phrase is, not transient.
Whatsoever is, is in God, and without God nothing can be, or be conceived.
Ethica Ordine Geometrico Demonstrata (1677)
In practical life we are compelled to follow what is most probable ; in speculative thought we are compelled to follow truth.
Hatred is increased by being reciprocated, and can on the other hand be destroyed by love.
The highest activity a human being can attain is learning for understanding, because to understand is to be free.
Hatred which is completely vanquished by love passes into love: and love is thereupon greater than if hatred had not preceded it.
Things could not have been brought into being by God in any manner or in any order different from that which has in fact obtained.
Ethica Ordine Geometrico Demonstrata (1677)
God is the indwelling and not the transient cause of all things.
Ethica Ordine Geometrico Demonstrata (1677)