Q.E.D.
Prop. [XV] He who clearly and distinctly understands
himself and his emotions loves God, and so
much the more in proportion as he
understands himself and his emotions.
Proof.- (15:1) He who clearly and distinctly understands himself and his
emotions feels pleasure (III:[liii] ), and this pleasure is (by [xiv] )
accompanied by the idea of God; therefore (III:[De.vi] ) such an one
loves God, and (for the same reason) so much the more in proportion as
he more understands himself and his emotions. Q.E.D.
Prop. [XVI] This love towards God must hold
the chief place in the mind.
Proof.- (16:1) For this love is associated with all the modifications
of the body ([xiv] ) and is fostered by them all ([v] ); therefore
([xi] ), it must hold the chief place in the mind. Q.E.D.
Prop. [XVII] God is without passions, neither is he
affected by any emotion of pleasure or pain.
Proof.- (17:1) All ideas, in so far as they are referred to God,
are true (II:[xxxii] ), that is (II:[D.iv] ) adequate; and therefore
(by III:[GENERAL DEFINITION OF THE EMOTIONS] ) God is without passions.
(2) Again, God cannot pass either to a greater or to a lesser perfection
(I:[xx] Coroll. ii.); therefore (by III:[De.ii] & III:[De.iii] ) he is
not affected by any emotion of pleasure or pain.
Corollary. (17:3) Strictly speaking, God does not love or hate anyone.
Pages:
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347