" {44b} THEY KNOW
NOT WHAT THEY DO.
The direct influence of Spinoza's theology is also shown in his
treatment of pity, hatred, laughter, and contempt. "The man who has
properly understood that everything follows from the necessity of the
divine nature, and comes to pass according to the eternal laws and rules
of nature, will in truth discover nothing which is worthy of hatred,
laughter, or contempt, nor will he pity any one, but, so far as human
virtue is able, he will endeavour to DO WELL, as we say, and to
REJOICE." {44c} By pity is to be understood mere blind sympathy. The
good that we do by this pity with the eyes of the mind shut ought to be
done with them open. "He who lives according to the guidance of reason
strives as much as possible to repay the hatred, anger, or contempt of
others towards himself with love or generosity. . . . He who wishes to
avenge injuries by hating in return does indeed live miserably. But he
who, on the contrary, strives to drive out hatred by love, fights
joyfully and confidently, with equal ease resisting one man or a number
of men, and needing scarcely any assistance from fortune.
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