4p56d.md - ethica - Spinozas ethics and various translations, edited for easy post processing.

4p56d.md (687B)

 1 The first foundation of virtue is self&#x2013;preservation
 2 (IV. xxii. Coroll.) under the guidance of reason (IV. xxiv.).
 3 He, therefore, who is ignorant of himself, is ignorant of the
 4 foundation of all virtues, and consequently of all virtues.
 5 Again, to act virtuously is merely to act under the guidance of
 6 reason (IV. xxiv.): now he, that acts under the guidance of
 7 reason, must necessarily know that he so acts (II. xliii.).
 8 Therefore he who is in extreme ignorance of himself, and
 9 consequently of all virtues, acts least in obedience to virtue;
10 in other words (IV. Def. viii.), is most infirm of spirit.  Thus
11 extreme pride or dejection indicates extreme infirmity of spirit.
12 Q.E.D.
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