Full Idea
The more each one strives, and is able, to seek his own advantage, that is, to preserve his being, the more he is endowed with virtue.
Gist of Idea
The more we strive for our own advantage, the more virtuous we are
Source
Baruch de Spinoza (The Ethics [1675], IV Pr 20)
Book Reference
Spinoza,Benedict de: 'Ethics', ed/tr. Curley,Edwin [Penguin 1996], p.126
A Reaction
Beth Lord says this is his key ethical idea. Our conatus (striving) is the essence of our nature, and virtue is the perfect expression of our essence. Presumably the destruction of others in competition is also bad for us.
Related Idea
Idea 21872 We seek our own advantage, and virtue is doing this rationally [Spinoza]