(2) But, in so far as he is determined for an action
because he understands, he is active; that is, he does something, which
is perceived through his essence alone, or which adequately follows from
his virtue. Q.E.D.
Prop. [XXIV] To act absolutely in obedience to virtue is in us
the same thing as to act, to live, or to preserve
one's being (these three terms are identical in
meaning) in accordance with the dictates of reason
on the basis of seeking what is useful to one's
self.
Proof.- (24:1) To act absolutely in obedience to virtue is nothing else
but to act according to the laws of one's own nature. (2) But we only
act, in so far as we understand (III:[iii] ) : therefore to act in
obedience to virtue is in us nothing else but to act, to live, or to
preserve one's being in obedience to reason, and that on the basis of
seeking what is useful for us ([xxii] Coroll.). Q.E.D.
Prop. [XXV] No one wishes to preserve his being
for the sake of anything else.
Proof.- (25:1) The endeavour, wherewith everything endeavours to persist
in its being, is defined solely by the essence of the thing itself
(III:[vii] ); from this alone, and not from the essence of anything else,
it necessarily follows (III:[vi] ) that everyone endeavours to preserve
his being. (2) Moreover, this proposition is plain from [xxii] Coroll.
Pages:
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266