"So long as a man imagines that he cannot do this or that, so long as he is determined not to do it; and consequently so long as it is impossible to him that he should do it"
- Baruch Spinoza
About this Quote
In this quote, thinker Baruch Spinoza is highlighting the power of our ideas and beliefs. He suggests that as long as an individual thinks they are incapable of doing something, they will continue to be figured out not to do it. This frame of mind develops a barrier that makes it impossible for them to attain their objective. Spinoza is highlighting the importance of having a positive and open state of mind, as our thoughts and beliefs can significantly impact our actions and abilities. He motivates people to challenge their limiting beliefs and picture the possibility of accomplishing what they as soon as believed was difficult.
"What is real is not the external form, but the essence of things... it is impossible for anyone to express anything essentially real by imitating its exterior surface"
"The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at and repair"