Note.- (4:4) Seeing that there is nothing which is not followed by an
effect (I:[xxxvi] ), and that we clearly and distinctly understand
whatever follows from an idea, which in us is adequate (II:[xl] ), it
follows that everyone has the power of clearly and distinctly
understanding himself and his emotions, if not absolutely, at any
rate in part, and consequently of bringing it about, that he should
become less subject to them. (4:5) To attain this result, therefore, we
must chiefly direct our efforts to acquiring, as far as possible, a clear
and distinct knowledge of every emotion, in order that the mind may thus,
through emotion, be determined to think of those things which it clearly
and distinctly perceives, and wherein it fully acquiesces: and thus that
the emotion itself may be separated from the thought of an external cause,
and may be associated with true thoughts; whence it will come to pass,
not only that love, hatred, &c. will be destroyed ([ii] ), but also that
the appetites or desires, which are wont to arise from such emotion, will
become incapable of being excessive (IV:[lxi] ). (6) For it must be
especially remarked, that the appetite through which a man is said to be
active, and that through which he is said to be passive is one and the
same. (4:7) For instance, we have shown that human nature is so
constituted, that everyone desires his fellow-men to live after his own
fashion (III:[xxxi] Note); in a man, who is not guided by reason, this
appetite is a passion which is called ambition, and does not greatly
differ from pride; whereas in a man, who lives by the dictates of reason,
it is an activity or virtue which is called piety (IV:[xxxvii] Note.
Pages:
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337