the ethics(part iv)-第17章
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XIX。 Again; meretricious love; that is; the lust of generation arising
from bodily beauty; and generally every sort of love; which owns anything
save freedom of soul as its cause; readily passes into hate; unless indeed;
what is worse; it is a species of madness; and then it promotes discord
rather than harmony (cf。 III:xxxi。Coroll。)。
XX。 As concerning marriage; it is certain that this is in harmony with
reason; if the desire for physical union be not engendered solely by
bodily beauty; but also by the desire to beget children and to train them
up wisely; and moreover; if the love of both; to wit; of the man and of
the woman; is not caused by bodily beauty only; but also by freedom of soul。
XXI。 Furthermore; flattery begets harmony; but only by means of the vile
offence of slavishness or treachery。 None are more readily taken with
flattery than the proud; who wish to be first; but are not。
XXII。 There is in abasement a spurious appearance of piety and
religion。 Although abasement is the opposite to pride; yet is he that
abases himself most akin to the proud (IV:lvii。Note)。
XXIII。 Shame also brings about harmony; but only in such matters as cannot
be hid。 Further; as shame is a species of pain; it does not concern the
exercise of reason。
XXIV。 The remaining emotions of pain towards men are directly opposed
to justice; equity; honour; piety; and religion; and; although
indignation seems to bear a certain resemblance to equity; yet is life
but lawless; where every man may pass judgment on another's deeds; and
vindicate his own or other men's rights。
XXV。 Correctness of conduct (modestia); that is; the desire of pleasing
men which is determined by reason; is attributable to piety (as we said
in IV:xxxvii。Note。i。)。 But; if it spring from emotion; it is ambition;
or the desire whereby; men; under the false cloak of piety; generally
stir up discords and seditions。 For he who desires to aid his fellows。
either in word or in deed; so that they may together enjoy the highest
good; he; I say; will before all things strive to; win them over with
love: not to draw them into admiration; so that a system may be called
after his name; nor to give any cause for envy。 Further; in his
conversation he will shrink from talking of men's faults; and will be
careful to speak but sparingly of human infirmity: but he will dwell at
length on human virtue or power; and the way whereby it may be perfected。
Thus will men be stirred not by fear; nor by aversion; but only by the
emotion of joy; to endeavour; so far as in them lies; to live in
obedience to reason。
XXVI。 Besides men; we know of no particular thing in nature in whose mind
we may rejoice; and whom we can associate with ourselves in friendship or
any sort of fellowship; therefore; whatsoever there be in nature besides
man; a regard for our advantage does not call on us to preserve; but to
preserve or destroy according to its various capabilities; and to adapt
to our use as best we may。
XXVII。 The advantage which we derive from things external to us; besides
the experience and knowledge which we acquire from observing them; and
from recombining their elements in different forms; is principally the
preservation of the body; from this point of view; those things are most
useful which can so feed and nourish the body; that all its parts may
rightly fulfil their functions。 For; in proportion as the body is capable
of being affected in a greater variety of ways; and of affecting external
bodies in a great number of ways; so much the more is the mind capable of
thinking (IV:xxxviii。; IV:xxxix。)。 But there seem to be very few things
of this kind in nature; wherefore for the due nourishment of the body we
must use many foods of diverse nature。 For the human body is composed of
very many parts of different nature; which stand in continual need of
varied nourishment; so that the whole body may be equally capable of
doing everything that can follow from its own nature; and consequently
that the mind also may be equally capable of forming many perceptions。
XXVIII。 Now for providing these nourishments the strength of each
individual would hardly suffice; if men did not lend one another mutual
aid。 But money has furnished us with a token for everything: hence it is
with the notion of money; that the mind of the multitude is chiefly
engrossed: nay; it can hardly conceive any kind of pleasure; which is not
accompanied with the idea of money as cause。
XXIX。 This result is the fault only of those; who seek money; not from
poverty or to supply their necessary; wants; but because they; have
learned the arts of gain; wherewith they bring themselves to great
splendour。 Certainly they nourish their bodies; according to custom; but
scantily; believing that they lose as much of their wealth as they spend on
the preservation of their body。 But they who know the true use of money;
and who fix the measure of wealth solely with regard to their actual needs;
live content with little。
XXX。 As; therefore; those things are good which assist the various parts
of the body; and enable them to perform their functions; and as pleasure
consists in an increase of; or aid to; man's power; in so far as he is
composed of mind and body; it follows that all those things which bring
pleasure are good。 But seeing that things do not work with the object of
giving us pleasure; and that their power of action is not tempered to suit
our advantage; and; lastly; that pleasure is generally referred to one
part of the body more than to the other parts; therefore most emotions of
pleasure (unless reason and watchfulness be at hand); and consequently the
desires arising therefrom; may become excessive。 Moreover we may add that
emotion leads us to pay most regard to what is agreeable in the present;
nor can we estimate what is future with emotions equally vivid。
(IV:xliv。Note; and IV:lx。Note。)
XXXI。 Superstition; on the other hand; seems to account as good all that
brings pain; and as bad all that brings pleasure。 However; as we said
above (IV:xlv。Note); none but the envious take delight in my infirmity
and trouble。 For the greater the pleasure whereby we are affected; the
greater is the perfection whereto we pass; and consequently the more do
we partake of the divine nature: no pleasure can ever be evil; which is
regulated by a true regard for our advantage。 But contrariwise he; who is
led by fear and does good only to avoid evil; is not guided by reason。
Ap。XXXII。 (1) But human power is extremely limited; and is infinitely
surpassed by the power of external causes; we have not; therefore; an
absolute power of shaping to our use those things which are without us。
Nevertheless; we shall bear with an equal mind all that happens to us
in contravention to the claims of our own advantage; so long as we are
conscious; that we have done our duty; and that the power which we possess
is not sufficient to enable us to protect ourselves completely;
remembering that we are a part of universal nature; and that we
follow her order。 If we have a clear and distinct understanding of
this; that part of our nature which is defined by intelligence; in other
words the better part of ourselves; will assuredly acquiesce in what
befalls us; and in such acquiescence will endeavour to persist。 For;
in so far as we are intelligent beings; we cannot desire anything save
that which is necessary; nor yield absolute acquiescence to anything;
save to that which is true: wherefore; in so far as we have a right
understanding of these things; the endeavour of the better par