"When I say that a man passes from a lesser to a greater perfection or vice versa [...] What I mean is, that we conceive the thing's power of action, in so far as this is understood by its nature, to be increased or diminished. Lastly, by perfection in general I shall, as I have said, mean reality — in other words, each thing's essence, in so far as it exists, and operates in a particular manner, and without paying any regard to its duration. For no given thing can be said to be more perfect, because it has passed a longer time in existence. The duration of things cannot be determined by their essence, for the essence of things involves no fixed and definite period of existence..."
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Preface; translation by R.H.M. Elwes
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Ethics_(Spinoza_book)
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Ethics (Spinoza book)
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