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Quotes from On the Improvement of the Understanding — Baruch Spinoza

1632–1677 Netherlands

← All quotes by Baruch Spinoza

4 quotes

A definition, if it is to be called perfect, must explain the inmost essence of a thing, and must take care not to substitute for this any of its properties.

On the Improvement of the Understanding (1662)

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

On the Improvement of the Understanding (1662)

But love for an object eternal and infinite feeds the mind with joy alone, and a joy which is free from all sorrow. This is something greatly to be desired and to be sought with all our strength.

On the Improvement of the Understanding (1662)

The ordinary surroundings of life which are esteemed by men (as their actions testify) to be the highest good, may be classed under the three heads — Riches, Fame, and the Pleasures of Sense: with these three the mind is so absorbed that it has little power to reflect on any different good.

On the Improvement of the Understanding (1662)

Attribution

Quotes and notes from Wikiquote: Baruch Spinoza (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.