Full Idea
Man acts absolutely according to the laws of his nature, when he lives in obedience to reason.
Gist of Idea
To live according to reason is to live according to the laws of human nature
Source
Baruch de Spinoza (The Ethics [1675], IV Pr 35)
Book Reference
Spinoza,Benedict de: 'Ethics, Improvement of Understanding, Letters', ed/tr. Elwes,R [Dover 1955], p.210
A Reaction
This is pure stoicism, and shows that Spinoza is in many ways the culmination of the seventeenth century stoic revival (e.g. in the art of Poussin). I love the idea that right reason and nature are in perfect harmony. I wonder why?