Proof.- (54:1) The endeavour or power of the mind is the actual essence
thereof ([vii] ); but the essence of the mind obviously only affirms
that which the mind is and can do; not that which it neither is nor can
do; therefore the mind endeavours to conceive only such things as assert
or affirm its power of activity. Q.E.D.
Prop. [LV] When the mind contemplates its own
weakness, it feels pain thereat.
Proof.- (55:1) The essence of the mind only affirms that which the mind
is, or can do; in other words, it is the mind's nature to conceive only
such things as assert its power of activity (last Prop.). (2) Thus,
when we say that the mind contemplates its own weakness, we are merely
saying that while the mind is attempting to conceive something which
asserts its power of activity, it is checked in its endeavour - in other
words ([xi] note), it feels pain. Q.E.D.
Corollary.-(55:3) This pain is more and more fostered, if a man conceives
that he is blamed by others; this may be proved in the same way as
[liii] Coroll.
Note.- (55:4) This pain, accompanied by the idea of our own weakness, is
called humility; the pleasure, which springs from the contemplation of
ourselves, is called self-love or self-complacency. (5) And inasmuch
as this feeling is renewed as often as a man contemplates his own
virtues, or his own power of activity, it follows that everyone is
fond of narrating his own exploits, and displaying the force both of
his body and mind, and also that, for this reason, men are troublesome
one to another.
Pages:
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207