"A definition, if it is to be called perfect, must explain the inmost essence of a thing, and must take care not to substitute for this any of its properties. In order to illustrate my meaning, without taking an example which would seem to show a desire to expose other people's errors, I will choose the case of something abstract, the definition of which is of little moment. Such is a circle. If a circle be defined as a figure, such that all straight lines drawn from the center to the circumference are equal, every one can see that such a definition does not in the least explain the essence of a circle, but solely one of its properties. Though, as I have said, this is of no importance in the case of figures and other abstractions, it is of great importance in the case of physical beings and realities: for the properties of things are not understood so long as their essences are unknown. If the latter be passed over, there is necessarily a perversion of the succession of ideas which should reflect the succession of nature, and we go far astray from our object."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
Baruch Spinoza, in [[s:On the Improvement of the Understanding|Tractatus de Intellectus Emendatione [On the Improvement of the Understanding] (1662)
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Essence
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
Essence
64 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by Essence →
Related Quotes
""Appearance" is a word that contains many temptations, which is why I avoid it as much as possible. For it is not tru…"
"The essence of the Liberal outlook lies not in what opinions are held, but in how they are held: instead of being hel…"
"My opinion is this: the cause of the error of all these schools is their belief that God's knowledge is like ours; ea…"
"If you say that you reject violence when it exceeds the limits imposed by the needs of defense, they accuse you of pa…"
"Mysticism is, in essence, little more than a certain intensity and depth of feeling in regard to what is believed abo…"
"The essence of liberalism is an attempt to secure a social order not based on irrational dogma, and insuring stabilit…"
"No question is here raised as to the true content of this; the question is if one will give assent to the God’s havin…"
"Loss of essence. I can assure you it has not recurred, Mandrake. Women, er, women sense my power, and they seek the l…"
"He fully knows His unchangeable essence, and has thus a knowledge of all that results from any of His acts. If we wer…"
"Things may have a real essence, which will consist of their physical constitution, but this is in the main unknown to…"