“Caute,” a Latin inscription on Spinoza’s seal, likely represents a call for intellectual prudence. Given his emphasis on reason, “caute” might urge us to be cautious in forming knowledge, avoiding emotional biases and hasty judgments. It could also relate to navigating Spinoza’s concept of a single, unified substance, reminding us to be wary of external influences that distort our understanding. Finally, “caute” might encourage meticulous observation of nature, ensuring the accuracy of the data we use to build knowledge. While the precise meaning remains a guess, it reflects the importance of critical thinking and carefulness in Spinoza’s philosophy.
