Full Idea
A man who lives according to the dictates of reason endeavours as much as possible to prevent himself from being touched by pity.
Gist of Idea
People who live according to reason should avoid pity
Source
Baruch de Spinoza (The Ethics [1675], IV Pr 50)
Book Reference
Spinoza,Benedict de: 'Ethics', ed/tr. White,WH/Stirling,AH [Wordsworth 2001], p.199
A Reaction
Since pity seems to give rise to some thoroughly good actions, I am not quite clear how reason would give rise to those same actions unaided. The alleviation of another's pain seems to have no pure motivation, if there is no empathy.
Related Ideas
Idea 17219 A person unmoved by either reason or pity to help others is rightly called 'inhuman' [Spinoza]
Idea 17223 Pity is not a virtue, but at least it shows a desire to live uprightly [Spinoza]