3p47sc.md (1599B)
1 This proposition can also be proved from the Corollary 2 to II. xvii. Whenever we remember anything, even if it does not 3 actually exist, we regard it only as present, and the body is 4 affected in the same manner; wherefore, in so far as the 5 remembrance of the thing is strong, a man is determined to regard 6 it with pain; this determination, while the image of the thing 7 in question lasts, is indeed checked by the remembrance of other 8 things excluding the existence of the aforesaid thing, but is not 9 destroyed: hence, a man only feels pleasure in so far as the 10 said determination is checked: for this reason the joy arising 11 from the injury done to what we hate is repeated, every time we 12 remember that object of hatred. For, as we have said, when the 13 image of the thing in question, is aroused, inasmuch as it 14 involves the thing's existence, it determines the man to regard 15 the thing with the same pain as he was wont to do, when it 16 actually did exist. However, since he has joined to the image of 17 the thing other images, which exclude its existence, this 18 determination to pain is forthwith checked, and the man rejoices 19 afresh as often as the repetition takes place. This is the cause 20 of men's pleasure in recalling past evils, and delight in 21 narrating dangers from which they have escaped. For when men 22 conceive a danger, they conceive it as still future, and are 23 determined to fear it; this determination is checked afresh by 24 the idea of freedom, which became associated with the idea of the 25 danger when they escaped therefrom: this renders them secure 26 afresh: therefore they rejoice afresh. 27 28