Full Idea
Flight at the proper time, just as well as fighting, is to be reckoned as showing strength of mind in a man who is free; that is to say, a free man chooses flight by the same strength or presence of mind as that by which he chooses battle.
Gist of Idea
In a free man, choosing flight can show as much strength of mind as fighting
Source
Baruch de Spinoza (The Ethics [1675], IV Pr 69)
Book Reference
Spinoza,Benedict de: 'Ethics', ed/tr. White,WH/Stirling,AH [Wordsworth 2001], p.213
A Reaction
I wonder why showing 'strength of mind' is a virtue?