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Full Idea
If liberty of thought is suppressed ...this would undemine the trust which is the first essential of a state; detestable flattery and deceit would flourish, giving rise to intrigues and every sort of honest behaviour.
Gist of Idea
Without liberty of thought there is no trust in the state, and corruption follows
Source
Baruch de Spinoza (Tractatus Theologico-Politicus [1670], 20.11)
Book Ref
Spinoza,Benedict de: 'Theological-Political Treatise', ed/tr. Israel,Jonathan [CUP 2007], p.255
A Reaction
Spinoza specifically defends philosophy, as the epitome of freedom of thought.
| 5754 | You can't control someone's free mind, only their body and possessions [Boethius] |
| 19939 | Government is oppressive if opinions can be crimes, because people can't give them up [Spinoza] |
| 19944 | Without liberty of thought there is no trust in the state, and corruption follows [Spinoza] |
| 19858 | No one should be molested for their opinions, if they do not disturb the established order [Mirabeau/committee] |
| 22972 | Bourgeois 'freedom of conscience' just tolerates all sorts of religious intolerance [Marx] |
| 21848 | Some lines (of flight) are becomings which escape the system [Deleuze] |