(14) Lastly, we can conceive the emotions of love, hope, honour, &c.,
in association with contempt, and can thence deduce other emotions,
which are not distinguished one from another by any recognized name.
Prop. [LIII] When the mind regards itself and its own power of
activity, it feels pleasure: and that pleasure is
greater in proportion to the distinctness wherewith
it conceives itself and its own power of activity.
Proof.- (53:1) A man does not know himself except through the
modifications of his body, and the ideas thereof (II:[xix] , and
II:[xiii] ). (2) When, therefore, the mind is able to contemplate itself,
it is thereby assumed to pass to a greater perfection, or ([xi] note)
to feel pleasure; and the pleasure will be greater in proportion to the
distinctness, wherewith it is able to conceive itself and its own power
of activity. Q.E.D.
Corollary.- (53:3) This pleasure is fostered more and more, in proportion
as a man conceives himself to be praised by others. (4) For the more he
conceives himself as praised by others, the more will he imagine them to
be affected with pleasure, accompanied by the idea of himself ([xxix]
note); thus he is ([xxvii] ) himself affected with greater pleasure,
accompanied by the idea of himself. Q.E.D.
Prop. [LIV] The mind endeavours to conceive only such
things as assert its power of activity.
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