On Spinoza Public fidelity and Public Freedom. (opens in new tab)

If you pass by Amsterdam’s modern city-hall, the Stopera, you’ll find a relatively modern (2008) statue of Spinoza with a big motto in Dutch, Het doel van de staat is de vrijheid. (The purpose of the state is freedom.) Spinoza (1632 – 1677) was born and raised on the Houtgracht (according to Nadler), which is now the Waterlooplein (the site of the Stopera). His father rented there.