4p59sc.md (960B)
1 An example will put this point in a clearer light. The 2 action of striking, in so far as it is considered physically, and 3 in so far as we merely look to the fact that a man raises his 4 arm, clenches his fist, and moves his whole arm violently 5 downwards, is a virtue or excellence which is conceived as proper 6 to the structure of the human body. If, then, a man, moved by 7 anger or hatred, is led to clench his fist or to move his arm, 8 this result takes place (as we showed in Pt. II.), because one 9 and the same action can be associated with various mental images 10 of things; therefore we may be determined to the performance of 11 one and the same action by confused ideas, or by clear and 12 distinct ideas. Hence it is evident that every desire which 13 springs from emotion, wherein the mind is passive, would become 14 useless, if men could be guided by reason. Let us now see why 15 desire which arises from emotion, wherein the mind is passive, is 16 called by us blind. 17 18