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Quote by Baruch Spinoza

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Letters to Friend and Foe

This book compiles a selection of letters written by the author to friends and adversaries, providing a candid look at their relationships and the societal context of their times. more

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Baruch Spinoza
Baruch Spinoza

Baruch Spinoza, a 17th-century Dutch philosopher of Jewish descent, is renowned for his unique philosophical thoughts and critical analysis of religion. Spinoza's philosophy emphasizes the unity of reason, nature, and God, and has had a profound impact on Western philosophy. more

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“If the way which I have pointed out as leading to this result (i.e., power over the emotions by which the wise man surpasses the ignorant man) seems exceedingly hard, it may nevertheless be discovered. Needs must it be hard, since it is so seldom found. How would it be possible, if salvation were ready to our hand, and could without great labour be found, that it should be by almost all men neglected? But all things excellent are as difficult as they are rare.”

IfsMenWayNeedsShouldMayHardHandsSeemsFoundDifficultResultsEmotionWiseReadyAll ThingsSalvationIgnorantExcellentLabourNeverthelessNeglected
Author:Baruch Spinoza
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“All laws which can be violated without doing any one any injury are laughed at. Nay, so far are they from doing anything to control the desires and passions of menб that, on the contrary, they direct and incite men's thoughts the more toward those very objects, for we always strive toward what is forbidden and desire the things we are not allowed to have. And men of leisure are never deficient in the ingenuity needed to enable them to outwit laws framed to regulate things which cannot be entirely forbidden... He who tries to determine everything by law will foment crime rather than lessen it.”

MenTryingLawDesirePassionCrimeObjectsNeededDirectStriveDetermineContraryInjuryLaughedLeisureForbiddenIngenuityFramed
Author:Baruch Spinoza
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