If men were born free, they would, so long as they remained free, form no conception of good and evil.

Si homines liberi nascerentur, nullum boni, & mali formarent conceptum, quamdiu liberi essent.

Baruch Spinoza

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Topic

Freedom Good and evil Human nature

Author

Baruch Spinoza

Source

Ethics

Genre

Philosophical literature

Language

Latin

Time

1677 1670s 17th century

Era

Age of Enlightenment

Occupation

Jewish philosopher Jewish writer Philosopher Writer

From

Netherlands Europe

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Spinoza, Baruch. Ethica, Ordine Geometrico Desmonstrata [Ethics, Demonstrated in Geometrical Order]. 1677, pt. 4, prop. 68.

Current Citation

Spinoza, Benedict. Ethics, translated by Michael Silverthorne and Matthew J. Kinser. Cambridge University Press, 2018, pt. 4, prop. 68.

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Related Quotes

Below are one or more quotes that share at least one tag with the quote at the top of the page

Another quote from the 1670s

The head is ever the dupe of the heart.

François de La Rochefoucauld

Reflections

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Topic
Heart vs. mind

Author

François de La Rochefoucauld
Source
Reflections
Medium
Epigram
Language
French
Time
1678 1670s 17th century
Authentication Score 3
Original Citation

La Rochefoucauld, Francois. Reflexions ou sentences et maximes morales [Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims]. c. 1665.

Current Citation

La Rochefoucauld, Francois. Collected Maxims and Other Reflections, translated by E. H. and A. M. Blackmore and Francine Giguere. Oxford University Press, 2008.

Another quote about Human nature

We are quick to flare up, we races of men on the earth.

Homer

The Odyssey

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More information about this quote
Topic
Temper Anger Human nature

Author

Homer
Source
The Odyssey
Medium
Poem
Genre
Epic poem
Language
Greek
Time
700 BC 700s BC 8th century BC
Era
Classical antiquity
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Homer. Ὀδύσσεια [Odyssey]. c. 710 BC, bk. 7, l. 307.

Current Citation

Homer. The Odyssey, edited by Bernard Knox, translated by Robert Fagles. Penguin Classics, 2006, bk. 7, l. 307.

Another quote from Age of Enlightenment

I think, therefore I am.

René Descartes

Discourse on Method

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Topic
Nature of man

Author

René Descartes
Source
Discourse on Method
Genre
Philosophical literature
Language
French
Time
1637 1630s 17th century
Era
Age of Enlightenment
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Descartes, René [published anonymously]. Discours de la Méthode: Pour bien conduire sa raison, et chercher la vérité dans les sciences [Discourse on Method: To Conduct Reason Well, and Seek Truth in the Sciences]. Leiden, 1637, pt. 4.

Current Citation

Descartes, René. Discourse on the Method, translated by Ian Maclean. Oxford University Press, 2008, pt. 4.

Another quote originally in Latin

Love conquers all things; let us too surrender to love.

Virgil

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More information about this quote
Topic
Power of love Love
Speaker
Gallus

Author

Virgil
Source
Eclogues
Medium
Poem
Language
Latin
Time
37 BC 30s BC 1st century BC
Era
Classical antiquity
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Virgil. Eclogae [Eclogues]. c. 30 BC, no. 10.

Current Citation

Virgil. "The Eclogues." The Eclogues and The Georgics, translated by C. Day Lewis. Oxford University Press, 2009, no. 10.