3p50sc.md (1242B)
1 Things which are accidentally the causes of hope or 2 fear are called good or evil omens. Now, in so far as such omens 3 are the cause of hope or fear, they are (by the definitions of 4 hope and fear given in III. xviii. note) the causes also of 5 pleasure and pain; consequently we, to this extent, regard them 6 with love or hatred, and endeavour either to invoke them as means 7 towards that which we hope for, or to remove them as obstacles, 8 or causes of that which we fear. It follows, further, from III. 9 xxv., that we are naturally so constituted as to believe readily 10 in that which we hope for, and with difficulty in that which we 11 fear; moreover, we are apt to estimate such objects above or 12 below their true value. Hence there have arisen superstitions, 13 whereby men are everywhere assailed. However, I do not think it 14 worth while to point out here the vacillations springing from 15 hope and fear; it follows from the definition of these emotions, 16 that there can be no hope without fear, and no fear without hope, 17 as I will duly explain in the proper place. Further, in so far 18 as we hope for or fear anything, we regard it with love or hatred; 19 thus everyone can apply by himself to hope and fear what we 20 have said concerning love and hatred. 21 22