(18:15) Therefore, to man there is nothing more useful than man - nothing,
for preserving their being can be wished for by men, than that all should
so in all points agree, that the minds and bodies of all should form, as
it were, one single mind and one single body, and that all should, with
one consent, as far as they are able, endeavour to preserve their being,
and all with one consent seek what is useful to them all. (16) Hence, men
who are governed by reason - that is, who seek what is useful to them in
accordance with reason, desire for themselves nothing, which they do not
also desire for the rest of mankind, and, consequently, are just, faithful,
and honourable in their conduct.
(18:17) Such are the dictates of reason, which I purposed thus briefly
to indicate, before beginning to prove them in greater detail. (18) I
have taken this course, in order, if possible, to gain the attention of
those who believe, that the principle that every man is bound to seek
what is useful for himself is the foundation of impiety, rather than of
piety and virtue. (19) Therefore, after briefly showing that the contrary
is the case, I go on to prove it by, the same method, as that whereby
I have hitherto proceeded.
Prop. [XIX] Every man, by the laws of his nature, necessarily
desires or shrinks from that which he deems to be
good or bad.
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