Peace is not the absence of war, but a virtue based on strength of character.

— Baruch Spinoza

Scriptural doctrine contains not abstruse speculation or philosophic reasoning, but very simple matters able to be understood by the most sluggish mind.

— Baruch Spinoza

Self-preservation is the primary and only foundation of virtue.

— Baruch Spinoza

Such things as are good simply because they have been commanded or instituted, or as being symbols of something good, are mere shadows which cannot be reckoned among actions that are the offspring, as it were, or fruit of a sound mind and of intellect.

— Baruch Spinoza

The formation of society serves not only for defensive purposes, but is also very useful, and, indeed, absolutely necessary, as rendering possible the division of labor. If men did not render mutual assistance to each other, no one would have either the skill or the time to provide for his own sustenance and preservation: for all men are not equally apt for all work, and no one would be capable of preparing all that he individually stood in need of. Strength and time, I repeat, would fail, if every one had in person to plow, to sow, to reap, to grind corn, to cook, to weave, to stitch and perform the other numerous functions required to keep life going; to say nothing of the arts and sciences which are also entirely necessary to the perfection and blessedness of human nature.

— Baruch Spinoza

The good which every man, who follows after virtue, desires for himself he will also desire for other men...

— Baruch Spinoza

The highest activity a human being can attain is learning for understanding, because to understand is to be free.

— Baruch Spinoza

The more clearly you understand yourself and your emotions, the more you become a lover of what is.

— 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

The object of the idea constituting the human mind is the body

— Baruch Spinoza