(E28:5) For
whatsoever a man imagines that he is incapable of doing, he imagines this
of necessity, and by that notion he is so disposed, that he really cannot
do that which he conceives that he cannot do. (6) For, so long as he
conceives that he cannot do it, so long is he not determined to do it, and
consequently so long is it impossible for him to do it. (7) However, if
we consider such matters as only depend on opinion, we shall find it
conceivable that a man may think too meanly of himself; for it may happen,
that a man, sorrowfully regarding his own weakness, should imagine that he
is despised by all men, while the rest of the world are thinking of
nothing less than of despising him. (E28:8) Again, a man may think too
meanly of himself, if he deny of himself in the present something in
relation to a future time of which he is uncertain. (9) As, for instance,
if he should say that he is unable to form any clear conceptions, or that
he can desire and do nothing but what is wicked and base, &c. (10) We may
also say, that a man thinks too meanly, of himself, when we see him from
excessive fear of shame refusing to do things which others, his equals,
venture. (E28:11) We can, therefore, set down as a contrary to pride an
emotion which I will call self- abasement, for as from self-complacency
springs pride, so from humility springs self-abasement, which I will
accordingly thus define:
[De.
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