Selection from – Ethics – Part III. On the Nature and Origin of the Emotions (Page 5)

Spinoza's Words: (there are three basic emotions – desire, pleasure and pain)

Proposition XI. Whatsoever increases or diminishes, helps or hinders the power of activity in our body, the idea thereof increases or diminishes, helps or hinders the power of thought in our mind.

Note.—Thus we see, that the mind can undergo many changes, and can pass sometimes to a state of greater perfection, sometimes to a state of lesser perfection. These passive states of transition explain to us the emotions of pleasure and pain. By pleasure therefore in the following propositions I shall signify a passive state wherein the mind passes to a greater perfection. By pain I shall signify a passive state wherein the mind passes to a lesser perfection... What I mean by desire I have explained (as the endeavour to persist in being) beyond these three (desire, pleasurew, pain) I recognize no other primary emotion; I will show as I proceed, that all other emotions arise from these three...