Q.E.D.
Note.- (71:2) The goodwill, which men who are led by blind desire have
for one another, is generally a bargaining or enticement, rather than
pure goodwill. (3) Moreover, ingratitude is not an emotion. (4) Yet
it is base, inasmuch as it generally shows, that a man is affected by
excessive hatred, anger, pride, avarice, &c. (5) He who, by reason of
his folly, knows not how to return benefits, is not ungrateful, much
less he who is not gained over by the gifts of a courtesan to serve her
lust, or by a thief to conceal his thefts, or by any similar persons.
(71:6) Contrariwise, such an one shows a constant mind, inasmuch as he
cannot by an gifts be corrupted, to his own or the general hurt.
Prop. [LXXII] The free man never acts fraudulently,
but always in good faith.
Proof.- (72:1) If it be asked: What should a man's conduct be in a case
where he could by breaking faith free himself from the danger of present
death? (2) Would not his plan of self-preservation completely persuade
him to deceive? (3) This may be answered by pointing out that, if reason
persuaded him to act thus, it would persuade all men to act in a similar
manner, in which case reason would persuade men not to agree in good faith
to unite their forces, or to have laws in common, that is, not to. have
any general laws, which is absurd.
Prop. [LXXIII] The man, who is guided by reason, is more
free in a State, where he lives under a
general system of law, than in solitude,
where he is independent.
Pages:
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314