Prop. [XXXVII] There is nothing in nature, which is
contrary to this intellectual love,
or which can take it away.
Proof.- (37:1) This intellectual love follows necessarily from the
nature of the mind, in so far as the latter is regarded through the
nature of God as an eternal truth ([xxxiii] and [xxix] ). (2) If,
therefore, there should be anything which would be contrary to this
love, that thing would be contrary to that which is true; consequently,
that, which should be able to take away this love, would cause that
which is true to be false; an obvious absurdity. (3) Therefore there
is nothing in nature which, &c. Q.E.D.
Note.- (37:4) The IV:[AXIOM] has reference to particular things, in
so far as they are regarded in relation to a given time and place:
of this, I think, no one can doubt.
Prop. [XXXVIII] In proportion as the mind understands
more things by the second and third kind
of knowledge, it is less subject to
those emotions which are evil, and stands
in less fear of death.
Proof.- (38:1) The mind's essence consists in knowledge (II:[xi] );
therefore, in proportion as the mind understands more things by the
second and third kinds of knowledge, the greater will be the part of
it that endures ([xxix] and [xxiii] ), and, consequently (by [XXXVII] ),
the greater will be the part that is not touched by the emotions, which
are contrary to our nature, or in other words, evil (IV:[xxx] ).
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