(17:7) The power of reason over the
emotions I have settled to treat separately.
Prop. [XVIII] Desire arising from pleasure is, other
conditions being equal, stronger than
desire arising from pain.
Proof.- (18:1) Desire is the essence of a man (III:[De.I] ), that is,
the endeavour whereby a man endeavours to persist in his own being.
(2) Wherefore desire arising from pleasure is, by the fact of pleasure
being felt, increased or helped; on the contrary, desire arising from
pain is, by the fact of pain being felt, diminished or hindered; hence
the force of desire arising from pleasure must be defined by human power
together with the power of an external cause, whereas desire arising from
pain must be defined by human power only. (3) Thus the former is
the stronger of the two. Q.E.D.
Note.- (18:4) In these few remarks I have explained the causes of human
infirmity and inconstancy, and shown why men do not abide by the precepts
of reason. (5) It now remains for me to show what course is marked out
for us by reason, which of the emotions are in harmony with the rules of
human reason, and which of them are contrary thereto.
(18:6) But, before I begin to prove my Propositions in detailed
geometrical fashion, it is advisable to sketch them briefly in advance,
so that everyone may more readily grasp my meaning.
(18:7) As reason makes no demands contrary to nature, it demands,
that every man should love himself, should seek that which is useful
to him - I mean, that which is really useful to him, should desire
everything which really brings man to greater perfection, and should,
each for himself, endeavour as far as he can to preserve his own being.
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