THE STORY OF PHILOSOPHY2 The Lives and Opinions

SPINOZA 151
Perhaps so many were influenced by Spinoza because he lends himself
to so many interpretations, and yields new riches at every reading. All
profound utterances have varied facets for diverse minds. One may sa}
of Spinoza what Ecclesiastes said of Wisdom: "The first man knew him
not perfectly, no more shall the last find him out. For his thoughts are
more than the sea, and his counsels profounder than the great deep."
On the second centenary of Spinoza's death subscriptions were collected
for the erection of a statue to him at the Hague, Contributions came from
every corner of the educated world; never did a monument rise upon so
wide a pedestal of love. At the unveiling in 1882 Ernest Renan concluded
his address with words which may fitly conclude also our chapter: "Woe
to him who in passing should hurl an insult at this gentle and pensive
head. He would be punished, as all vulgar souls are punished, by his very
vulgarity, and by his incapacity to conceive what is divine. This man,
from his granite pedestal, will point out to all men the way of blessedness
which he found; and ages hence, the cultivated traveler, passing by this
spot, will say in his heart, The truest vision ever had of God came,
perhaps, here.' " 145
^Ethics, Everyman ed., Introd., xxii, note.