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Full Idea
An emotion is only bad or hurtful, in so far as it hinders the mind from being able to think.
Gist of Idea
An emotion is only bad if it hinders us from thinking
Source
Baruch de Spinoza (The Ethics [1675], V Pr 09)
Book Ref
Spinoza,Benedict de: 'Ethics, Improvement of Understanding, Letters', ed/tr. Elwes,R [Dover 1955], p.251
A Reaction
This sounds sensible. It fits Spinoza's quasi-stoicism that he should be happy with emotion (as natural), but also that true 'living by nature' requires control by reason. Only a wild romantic would think emotion better than judgement as a guide.