Famous quote by Gottfried Leibniz

"Whence it follows that God is absolutely perfect, since perfection is nothing but magnitude of positive reality, in the strict sense, setting aside the limits or bounds in things which are limited"

About this Quote

Gottfried Leibniz, a popular theorist and mathematician of the 17th and early 18th centuries, provides a profound insight into the nature of magnificent perfection in the quote: "Whence it follows that God is absolutely best, because perfection is absolutely nothing however magnitude of favorable truth, in the strict sense, reserving the limits or bounds crazes which are restricted". This statement encapsulates essential themes of Leibniz's esoteric philosophy, particularly his understanding of God and excellence.

Leibniz presumes that perfection is defined by the "magnitude of positive reality". In this context, "positive reality" refers to the intrinsic qualities or attributes that add to the quality or completeness of an entity. For Leibniz, God embodies the peak of this positive reality, being unlimited, all-powerful, all-knowing, and kindhearted. These attributes are not limited or constrained by any external aspects, which is vital for comprehending Leibniz's conception of absolute excellence.

By specifying "reserving the limitations or bounds crazes which are limited", Leibniz stresses that people, and other limited entities, are imperfect exactly since they are bound by constraints. They possess a limited quantity of favorable qualities and are constrained by different restrictions, whether they are physical, intellectual, or moral. In contrast, God, as an infinite being, lacks these restrictions, embodying an endless magnitude of positive truth. Hence, God is "absolutely ideal."

This understanding aligns with Leibniz's wider philosophical system, which typically revolves around the concept of enough reason and the notion of a pre-established consistency in the universe. God's outright perfection is main to Leibniz's optimism, as he notoriously argues that we live in "the best of all possible worlds". According to Leibniz, since God is definitely best, deep space, as a production of God, is naturally excellent, even if it may appear otherwise due to the restrictions of human viewpoint.

In essence, Leibniz's quote highlights a basic element of his metaphysics: the belief in a perfectly rational and kindhearted God whose presence and nature underpins the structure and reasoning of truth itself.

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Germany Flag This quote is written / told by Gottfried Leibniz between July 1, 1646 and November 14, 1716. He/she was a famous Philosopher from Germany. The author also have 17 other quotes.
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