is used by White to mean "mode" or "modification"
("affection") as well. In the circumstances, therefore, I thought it
advisable to change "affect" to "emotion" and "affection" to
"modification" or "mode." I also corrected White's translation of the
Definition of Attribute by deleting the word "if." In spite of the need
for these changes, it was desirable to use White's translation because
it is the most accurate and elegant extant.

Furthermore, in both White and Elwes I have consistently capitalized the
term Nature, in accordance with Spinoza's Latin text; White and Elwes
capitalize it only desultorily. I have made some slight changes in
Elwes' mid-Victorian punctuation and White's all-too-faithful
paragraphing. The Latin paragraphs of the _Ethics_ are extremely long.
These changes are all external and as far as I can see thoroughly
legitimate as well as justified. The very slight and very occasional
internal changes I have made--other than those already accounted for--I
have indicated by square brackets.

I am indebted to Mr. Houston Peterson, of Columbia University, for
suggesting to me the idea of arranging a volume of selections from
Spinoza. I am alone responsible, however, for the actual selections and
arrangements, and for the idea of taking the _Ethics_ out of its
geometrical form. Professor Morris R. Cohen, of the College of the City
of New York, read this volume in manuscript; I am indebted to him for
some valuable suggestions. I am also indebted very greatly to a friend
(who prefers not to be acknowledged) for invaluable help in getting the
manuscript into shape.

JOSEPH RATNER.

_October, 1926._

CONTENTS

PAGE
PREFACE v
THE LIFE OF SPINOZA xi
INTRODUCTION TO THE PHILOSOPHY OF SPINOZA xxvii

FIRST PART

ON GOD

CHAPTER

I. OF SUPERSTITION 3
II. OF THE INTERPRETATION OF SCRIPTURE 11
III. OF PROPHETS AND PROPHECY 36
IV. OF THE VOCATION OF THE HEBREWS 64
V. OF THE DIVINE LAW 71
VI. OF THE CEREMONIAL LAW 88
VII. OF MIRACLES 103
VIII. OF THE DIVINE NATURE 122

SECOND PART

ON MAN

IX. THE NATURE AND ORIGIN OF