Full Idea
The order of nature, under which all human beings are born and for the most part live, prohibits nothing but what no one desires or no one can do; it does not prohibit strife or hatred or anger or anything at all that appetite foments.
Gist of Idea
The order of nature does not prohibit anything, and allows whatever appetite produces
Source
Baruch de Spinoza (Tractatus Theologico-Politicus [1670], 16.04)
Book Reference
Spinoza,Benedict de: 'Theological-Political Treatise', ed/tr. Israel,Jonathan [CUP 2007], p.197
A Reaction
This is as vigorous a rejection of natural law as I have met with. It is hard to see on what grounds anyone could disagree, other than hopeful sentiment.
Related Idea
Idea 19928 No one, in giving up their power and right, ceases to be a human being [Spinoza]