Meandering in the pursuit of wisdom . . .

Today is the birthday of Baruch or Benedict de Spinoza (November 24, 1632 – February 21, 1677), philosopher. He is oft referred to as one of great rationalists of 17th-century philosophy and one of the most important philosophers in Western philosophy.

"If you want the present to be different from the past, study the past." - Baruch Spinoza

"Men govern nothing with more difficulty than their tongues, and can moderate their desires more than their words." - Baruch Spinoza

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

"Be not astonished at new ideas; for it is well known to you that a thing does not therefore cease to be true because it is not accepted by many." - Baruch Spinoza

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

Trivia bit: Here is another author that is on the list of books that have been banned - all of Spinoza's works were listed on the Index Librorum Prohibitorum (List of Prohibited Books) by the Roman Catholic Church.

Spinoza image source (1)