Prop. [XXXIII] When we love a thing similar to ourselves we
endeavour, as far as we can, to bring about that
it should love us in return.
Proof.- (33:1) That which we love we endeavour, as far as we can, to
conceive in preference to anything else ([xii] ). (2) If the thing
be similar to ourselves, we shall endeavour to affect it pleasurably in
preference to anything else ([xxix] ). (3) In other words, we shall
endeavour, as far as we can, to bring it about, that the thing should be
affected with pleasure accompanied by the idea of ourselves, that is
([xiii] note), that it should love us in return. Q.E.D.
Prop. [XXXIV] The greater the emotion with which we conceive a
loved object to be affected towards us, the greater
will be our complacency.
Proof.- (34:1) We endeavour ([xxxiii] ), as far as we can, to bring
about, that what we love should love us in return: in other words, that
what we love should be affected with pleasure accompanied by the idea of
ourself as cause. (2) Therefore, in proportion as the loved object is
more pleasurably affected because of us, our endeavour will be assisted -
that is ([xi] ¬e) the greater will be our pleasure. (3) But when
we take pleasure in the fact, that we pleasurably affect something
similar to ourselves, we regard ourselves with pleasure ([xxx] );
therefore the greater the emotion with which we conceive a loved object
to be affected, &c.
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