[De.XLII] Consternation is attributed to one, whose desire
of avoiding evil is checked by amazement at the
evil which he fears.
Explanation.- (E42:1) Consternation is, therefore, a species of cowardice.
(2) But, inasmuch as consternation arises from a double fear, it may be
more conveniently defined as a fear which keeps a man so bewildered and
wavering, that he is not able to remove the evil. (3) I say bewildered,
in so far as we understand his desire of removing the evil to be
constrained by his amazement. (4) I say wavering, in so far as we
understand the said desire to be constrained by the fear of another evil,
which equally torments him: whence it comes to pass that he knows not,
which he may avert of the two. (5) On this subject, see [xxxix] note,
and [lii] note. (E42:6) Concerning cowardice and daring, see
[li] note.
[De.XLIII] Courtesy, or deference (politeness - humanitas seu
modestia), is the desire of acting in a way that
should please men, and refraining from that which
should displease them.
[De.XLIV] Ambition is the immoderate desire of power.
Explanation.- (E44:1) Ambition is the desire, whereby all the emotions
(cf. [xxvii] and [xxxi] ) are fostered and strengthened; therefore
this emotion can with difficulty be overcome. (2) For, so long as a man
is bound by any desire, he is at the same time necessarily bound by this.
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