On Thinking & Reason

This struck me while reading The Age of Louis XIV by Will & Ariel Durant.  It's a quote from the 17th century philosopher Spinoza, from his writings on the state in his Tractatus politicus:

"A man who is guided by reason is freer in a state where he lives according to common law 

than in solitude where he is subject to no law."

How can it be that a man living with restrictions is freer than a man living without restrictions?  The answer lies in the power of groups.  One great man working prodigiously can never accomplish what a group can, when working towards the same vision and purpose.  By sharing his vision, and getting others to adopt it, that same man is "free" to accomplish most anything.