Full Idea
The man who is ignorant of himself is ignorant of the foundation of all the virtues, and consequently is ignorant of all the virtues.
Gist of Idea
A man ignorant of himself is ignorant of all of the virtues
Source
Baruch de Spinoza (The Ethics [1675], IV Pr 56)
Book Reference
Spinoza,Benedict de: 'Ethics', ed/tr. White,WH/Stirling,AH [Wordsworth 2001], p.203
A Reaction
This would appeal to Aristotle, for whom the social virtues are an aspect of one's own character, and not a calculation made about externals.
Related Idea
Idea 17220 Self-satisfaction is the highest thing for which we can hope [Spinoza]