Single Idea 21875

[catalogued under 1. Philosophy / A. Wisdom / 1. Nature of Wisdom]

Full Idea

A free man thinks of nothing less than of death, and his wisdom is a meditation on life, not on death.

Gist of Idea

The wisdom of a free man is a meditation on life, not on death

Source

Baruch de Spinoza (The Ethics [1675], IV Pr 67)

Book Reference

Spinoza,Benedict de: 'Ethics', ed/tr. Curley,Edwin [Penguin 1996], p.151


A Reaction

Life and death are not so easy to separate. You could hardly be wise about life if you didn't incorporate its finite duration into your wisdom.