Proof.- (19:1) The knowledge of good and evil is ([viii] ) the emotion
of pleasure or pain, in so far as we are conscious thereof; therefore,
every man necessarily desires what he thinks good, and shrinks from what
he thinks bad. (2) Now this appetite is nothing else but man's nature or
essence (Cf. the Definition of Appetite given in III.[ix] note, and
III:[De.I] ). (3) Therefore, every man, solely by the laws of his nature,
desires the one, and shrinks from the other, &c. Q.E.D.
Prop. [XX] The more every man endeavours, and is able to
seek what is useful to him - in other words,
to preserve his own being - the more is he
endowed with virtue; on the contrary, in
proportion as a man neglects to seek what is
useful to him, that is, to preserve his own
being, he is wanting in power.
Proof.- (20:1) Virtue is human power, which is defined solely by man's
essence ([D.viii] ), that is, which is defined solely by the endeavour
made by man to persist in his own being. (2) Wherefore, the more a man
endeavours, and is able to preserve his own being, the more is he endowed
with virtue, and, consequently (III:[iv] & III:[vi] ), in so far as a man
neglects to preserve his own being, he is wanting in power. Q.E.D.
Note.- (20:3) No one, therefore, neglects seeking his own good, or
preserving his own being, unless he be overcome by causes external and
foreign to his nature.
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