Q.E.D.
Note.- (39:2) Since human bodies are capable of the greatest number of
activities, there is no doubt but that they may be of such a nature,
that they may be referred to minds possessing a great knowledge of
themselves and of God, and whereof the greatest or chief part is eternal,
and, therefore, that they should scarcely fear death. (3) But, in order
that this may be understood more clearly, we must here call to mind, that
we live in a state of perpetual variation, and, according as we are
changed for the better or the worse, we are called happy or unhappy.
(39:4) For he, who, from being an infant or a child, becomes a corpse,
is called unhappy; whereas it is set down to happiness, if we have been
able to live through the whole period of life with a sound mind in a
sound body. (5) And, in reality, he, who, as in the case of an infant
or a child, has a body capable of very few activities, and depending,
for the most part, on external causes, has a mind which, considered in
itself alone, is scarcely conscious of itself, or of God, or of things;
whereas, he, who has a body capable of very many activities, has a mind
which, considered in itself alone, is highly conscious of itself, of God,
and of things. In this life, therefore, we primarily endeavour to bring
it about, that the body of a child, in so far as its nature allows and
conduces thereto, may be changed into something else capable of very
many activities, and referable to a mind which is highly conscious of
itself, of God, and of things; and we desire so to change it, that what
is referred to its imagination and memory may become insignificant, in
comparison with its intellect, as I have already said in the note to
[xxxviii] .
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