Things which are accidentally the causes either of hope or f... - Baruch Spinoza

"Things which are accidentally the causes either of hope or fear are called good or evil omens."

"I have made a ceaseless effort not to ridicule, not to bewail, not to scorn human actions, but to understand them."

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

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

"He alone is free who lives with free consent under the entire guidance of reason"