Full Idea
Each thing, as far as it can by its own power, strives to persevere in its own being. ...[7] The striving by which each thing strives to persevere in its being is nothing but the actual essence of the thing.
Gist of Idea
As far as possible, everything tries to persevere
Source
Baruch de Spinoza (The Ethics [1675], III Pr 06)
Book Reference
Spinoza,Benedict de: 'Ethics', ed/tr. Curley,Edwin [Penguin 1996], p.75
A Reaction
This is covered by his word 'conatus'. Obviously this covers plants as well as sentient beings. Mountains have no power to persevere. Since Spinoza sees this as basic, he is not far from Nietzsche.