“ Pity, in a man who lives under the guidance of reason, is in itself bad and useless. ”
Baruch Spinoza, Ethics (1677). copy citation
| Author | Baruch Spinoza |
|---|---|
| Source | Ethics |
| Topic | pity reason |
| 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
“of the Emotions, xxx.) ; the good which we hear of ourselves we readily believe (III. xxv.) ; and therefore, for love's sake, rate ourselves too highly; in other words, we are apt to become proud. Q.E.D.
PROP. L. Pity, in a man who lives under the guidance of reason, is in itself bad and useless.
Proof.—Pity (Def. of the Emotions, xviii.) is a pain, and therefore (IV. xli.) is in itself bad. The good effect which follows, namely, our endeavour to free the object of our pity from misery, is an action which we desire to do solely at the dictation of reason”
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