(no subject)

PROP. XIV

A true knowledge 
             of good and evil 
                        cannot check any emotion 
by virtue 
            of being true, 
but 
      only in so far as 
                   it is considered as an emotion.

---Proof.

An emotion is an idea, 
                       whereby 
the mind affirms 
                  of its body 
a greater or less 
                  force of existing 
than before (by the general Definition of the Emotions); 

therefore 
             it has no positive quality, 
which 
     can be destroyed
                    by the presence 
of what is true;

consequently the knowledge of good and evil cannot, by virtue of being true,
restrain any emotion. But, in so far as such knowledge is an emotion (IV. viii.)
if it to have more strength for restraining emotion, it will to that extent be able
to restrain the given emotion. Q.E.D.


--- Spinoza, Ethics. Part IV, Prop. XIV.