Full Idea
The mind does not know itself except in so far as it perceives the ideas of the affections of the body.
Gist of Idea
Self-knowledge needs perception of the affections of the body
Source
Baruch de Spinoza (The Ethics [1675], II Pr 23)
Book Reference
Spinoza,Benedict de: 'Ethics', ed/tr. White,WH/Stirling,AH [Wordsworth 2001], p.69
A Reaction
'The ideas of the affections of the body' seems to be twice removed from the actual body, so I am not crystal clear what this says. The idea of knowing yourself with no involvement at all of the body seems absurd.