On the contrary, if we think
that anyone shrinks from something that we love, we
shall undergo vacillation of soul.
Proof.- (31:1) From the mere fact of conceiving that anyone loves anything
we shall ourselves love that thing ([xxvii] ): but we are assumed to
love it already; there is, therefore, a new cause of love, whereby our
former emotion is fostered; hence we shall thereupon love it more
steadfastly. (2) Again, from the mere fact of conceiving that anyone
shrinks from anything, we shall ourselves shrink from that thing
([xxvii] ). (3) If we assume that we at the same time love it, we
shall then simultaneously love it and shrink from it; in other words, we
shall be subject to vacillation ([xvii] note). Q.E.D.
Corollary.- (31:4) From the foregoing, and also from II:[xxviii] , it
follows that everyone endeavours, as far as possible, to cause others to
love what he himself loves, and to hate what he himself hates: as the
poet says: " As lovers let us share every hope and every fear:
ironhearted were he who should love what the other leaves."
(Ovid. Amores, II.xix.4, 5. Spinoza transposes the verses.
"Speremus pariter, pariter metuamus amantes;
Ferreus est, si quis, quod sinit alter, amat.")
Note.- (31:5) This endeavour to bring it about, that our own likes and
dislikes should meet with universal approval, is really ambition (see
[xxix] note) ; wherefore we see that everyone by nature desires
(appetere), that the rest of mankind should live according to his own
individual disposition: when such a desire is equally present in all,
everyone stands in everyone else's way, and in wishing to be loved or
praised by all, all become mutually hateful.
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