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We may thus clearly understand, how far astray from a true estimate of virtue are those who expect to be decorated by God with high rewards for their virtue, and their best actions, as for having endured the direst slavery; as if virtue and the service of God were not in itself happiness and perfect freedom.

— Baruch Spinoza

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More quotes by Baruch Spinoza

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)

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Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Baruch Spinoza (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.