Baruch Spinoza Quotes

I've been deeply influenced by Aristotle's idea that virtue is a habit, something you practice and get better at, rather than something that comes naturally. 'The control of the appetites by right reason,' is how he defined it.

In fact, it is a farce to call any being virtuous whose virtues do not result from the exercise of its own reason.

Moral character has now some influence in our elections, but not that place which it deserves. The law of public opinion excludes confirmed sots, and persons judicially convicted of high crimes and misdemeanors against the State; but it ought to render the election of all profane swearers, notorious Sabbath breakers, seducers, slanderers, prodigals and riotous persons, as well as the advocates of dueling, impracticable.

There were times when I was tempted to do wrong, and could have went that way. But I knew it wasn't for me. I was told enough times that it catches up with you, and I believe it.

He cannot be vertuous that is not rigorous.

Holiness is the sum of a million little things — the avoidance of little evils and little foibles, the setting aside of little bits of worldliness and little acts of compromise, the putting to death of little inconsistencies and little indiscretions, the attention to little duties and little dealings, the hard work of little self-denials and little self-restraints, the cultivation of little benevolences and little forbearances.

Shun all vice, especially card playing.

Virtue is more to be feared than vice, because its excesses are not subject to the regulation of conscience.

The rewards of virtue alone abide secure.

It is well to think well; it is divine to act well.

The man of virtuous soul commands not, nor obeys.

Wise people, even though all laws were abolished, would still lead the same life.

Man cannot be uplifted; he must be seduced into virtue.

Happiness is secured through virtue; it is a good attained by man's own will.

Virtue by premeditation isn't worth much.

Seeking the good is not primarily about rules and commandments.

Virtue is a habit of the mind, consistent with nature and moderation and reason.

No one can harm the man who does himself no wrong.

Be virtuous in thought and in deed. God has planted in you, for a purpose, a divine urge which may be easily subverted to evil and destructive ends.

Man may aspire to virtue, but he cannot reasonably aspire to truth.

Good means not merely not to do wrong, but rather not to desire to do wrong.

A man's character is his guardian divinity.

The more you build your life on principle and less on personality - yours or others - the straighter will be your course.

It is not possible to live pleasantly unless one lives prudently and justly.