E3DA10
Definition of an Emotion — Part III
Latin
Devotio est amor erga eum quem admiramur.
Explicatio: Admirationem oriri ex rei novitate ostendimus propositione 52 hujus. Si igitur contingat ut id quod admiramur sæpe imaginemur, idem admirari desinemus atque adeo videmus devotionis affectum facile in simplicem amorem degenerare.
English (Elwes 1883)
Devotion is love towards one whom we admire.
Explanation: Wonder (admiratio) arises (as we have shown, III. lii.) from the novelty of a thing. If, therefore, it happens that the object of our wonder is often conceived by us, we shall cease to wonder at it; thus we see, that the emotion of devotion readily degenerates into simple love.
Modern English
Devotion is love toward one whom we admire.
Explanation: We showed in E3P52 (E3P52) that wonder arises from the novelty of a thing. If it therefore happens that we frequently imagine what we wonder at, we will cease to wonder at it. We see from this that the affect of devotion easily degenerates into simple love.