3p18sc1.md (925B)
1 I call a thing past or future, according as we either 2 have been or shall be affected thereby. For instance, according 3 as we have seen it, or are about to see it, according as it has 4 recreated us, or will recreate us, according as it has harmed us, 5 or will harm us. For, as we thus conceive it, we affirm its 6 existence; that is, the body is affected by no emotion which 7 excludes the existence of the thing, and therefore (II. xvii.) 8 the body is affected by the image of the thing, in the same way 9 as if the thing were actually present. However, as it generally 10 happens that those, who have had many experiences, vacillate, so 11 long as they regard a thing as future or past, and are usually in 12 doubt about its issue (II. xliv. note); it follows that the 13 emotions which arise from similar images of things are not so 14 constant, but are generally disturbed by the images of other 15 things, until men become assured of the issue. 16 17