, blessedly or rightly, is
(III:[De.i] ) the essence of man - that is (III:[vii] ), the endeavour
made by everyone to preserve his own being. (3) Therefore, no one can
desire, &c. Q.E.D.
Prop. [XXII] No virtue can be conceived as prior to this
endeavour to preserve one's own being.
Proof.- (22:1) The effort for self-preservation is the essence of a
thing (III:[vii] ); therefore, if any virtue could be conceived as
prior thereto, the essence of a thing would have to be conceived as
prior to itself, which is obviously absurd. (2) Therefore no virtue,
&c. Q.E.D.
Corollary.- (22:3) The effort for self-preservation is the first and
only foundation of virtue. (4) For prior to this principle nothing
can be conceived, and without it no virtue can be conceived.
Prop. [XXIII] Man, in so far as he is determined to a
particular action because he has inadequate
ideas, cannot be absolutely said to act in
obedience to virtue; he can only be so
described, in so far as he is determined
for the action because he understands.
Proof.- (23:1) In so far as a man is determined to an action through
having inadequate ideas, he is passive (III:[i] ), that is (III:[D.i]
& III:[D.iii] ), he does something, which cannot be perceived solely
through his essence, that is (by [D.viii] ), which does not follow from
his virtue.
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