Those who wish to seek out the cause of miracles and to understand the things of nature as philosophers, and not to stare at them in astonishment like fools, are soon considered heretical and impious, and proclaimed as such by those whom the mob adores as the interpreters of nature and the gods.
Baruch SpinozaStatesman are suspected of plotting against mankind, rather than consulting their interests, and are esteemed more crafty than learned.
Baruch SpinozaMen who are ruled by reason desire nothing for themselves which they would not wish for all mankind.
Baruch SpinozaHe who lives according to the guidance of reason strives as much as possible to repay the hatred, anger, or contempt of others towards himself with love or generosity. ...hatred is increased by reciprocal hatred, and, on the other hand, can be extinguished by love, so that hatred passes into love.
Baruch SpinozaThe world would be happier if men had the same capacity to be silent that they have to speak.
Baruch SpinozaAll 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 menะฑ 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.
Baruch Spinoza