Spinozism Quotes

“The matter on which I judge people is their willingness, or ability, to handle contradiction. Thus Paine was better than Burke when it came to the principle of the French revolution, but Burke did and said magnificent things when it came to Ireland, India and America. One of them was in some ways a revolutionary conservative and the other was a conservative revolutionary. It's important to try and contain multitudes. One of my influences was Dr Israel Shahak, a tremendously brave Israeli humanist who had no faith in collectivist change but took a Spinozist line on the importance of individuals. Gore Vidal's admirers, of whom I used to be one and to some extent remain one, hardly notice that his essential critique of America is based on Lindbergh and 'America First'—the most conservative position available. The only real radicalism in our time will come as it always has—from people who insist on thinking for themselves and who reject party-mindedness.”
― Christopher Hitchens, Christopher Hitchens and His Critics: Terror, Iraq, and the Left

“Every person should embrace those [dogmas] that he, being the best judge of himself, feels will do most to strengthen in him love of justice.”
― Baruch Spinoza, Theological-Political Treatise

“Everyone is by absolute natural right the master of his own thoughts, and thus utter failure will attend any attempt in a commonwealth to force men to speak only as prescribed by the sovereign despite their different and opposing opinions.”
― Baruch Spinoza, Theological-Political Treatise

“Spindelvævlette, verdenshavtunge fjerner
sprænger i dragsug menneskesjæle og stjerner -
intet har form eller navn.
Se, jeg er stille - se, jeg er rum og susning,
se, jeg er aften efter en brændende dag.
Jeg er alt, og alt er i mig, og mit hjerte
følger i døende rytmer tidernes aandedrag.”
― Peter Wessel Zapffe, Barske glæder og andre temaer fra et liv under åpen himmel

“He who, while unacquainted with these writings, nevertheless knows by the natural light that there is a God having the attributes we have recounted, and who also pursues a true way of life, is altogether blessed.”
― Baruch Spinoza, Theological-Political Treatise

“Timer - timer i fjeldene. I mørke kan hænde, i uveir og kamp -
Og de lyse, ugripelige, de av forfærdelig skjønhet. Dem du nødig nævner, og aldri kan dele med nogen, fordi de tilhører din sjæls ytterste ensomhet.”
― Peter Wessel Zapffe, Barske glæder og andre temaer fra et liv under åpen himmel

“nous n'avons aucune puissance sur les passions tant que nous n'en connaissons pas les vraies causes”
― Alain, Propos sur le bonheur

“In the midst of hardship lies opportunity. In the face of suffering, we find strength. And in the acceptance of destiny, we discover peace. Embrace the journey, for it is through struggle that we grow and learn to rise above.”
― Sambou Lamine Diaby

“La mejor sociedad será entonces aquella que exime a la potencia de pensar del deber de obedecer y evita en su propio interés someterla a la regla del Estado, que sólo rige las acciones.”
― Gilles Deleuze, Spinoza: Practical Philosophy