“ In so far as men are a prey to passion, they cannot, in that respect, be said to be naturally in harmony. ”
Baruch Spinoza, Ethics (1677). copy citation
| Author | Baruch Spinoza |
|---|---|
| Source | Ethics |
| Topic | passion harmony |
| Date | 1677 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | Translated by R. H. M. Elwes |
| Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/files/3800/3800-h/3800-h.htm |
Context
“Nothing, therefore, can be good, except in so far as it is in harmony with our nature; and hence a thing is useful, in proportion as it is in harmony with our nature, and vice versâ. Q.E.D.
PROP. XXXII. In so far as men are a prey to passion, they cannot, in that respect, be said to be naturally in harmony.
Proof.—Things, which are said to be in harmony naturally, are understood to agree in power (III. vii.) , not in want of power or negation, and consequently not in passion (III. iii. note) ; wherefore men, in so far as they are a prey to their passions, cannot be said to be naturally in harmony.”
source
