E3DA11
Definition of an Emotion — Part III
Latin
Irrisio est lætitia orta ex eo quod aliquid quod contemnimus in re quam odimus inesse imaginamur.
Explicatio: Quatenus rem quam odimus contemnimus eatenus de eadem existentiam negamus (vide scholium propositionis 52 hujus) et eatenus (per propositionem 20 hujus) lætamur. Sed quoniam supponimus hominem id quod irridet odio tamen habere, sequitur hanc lætitiam solidam non esse. Vide scholium propositionis 47 hujus.
English (Elwes 1883)
Derision is pleasure arising from our conceiving the presence of a quality, which we despise, in an object which we hate.
Explanation: In so far as we despise a thing which we hate, we deny existence thereof (III. lii. note), and to that extent rejoice (III. xx.). But since we assume that man hates that which he derides, it follows that the pleasure in question is not without alloy (cf. III. xlvii. note).
Modern English
Derision is joy arising from the fact that we imagine some quality we despise to be present in a thing we hate.
Explanation: Insofar as we despise a thing we hate, we deny its existence (E3P52S) and to that extent feel joy (E3P20). But since we presuppose that the person who derides nonetheless hates what he derides, it follows that this joy is not wholesome. See the scholium of E3P47 (E3P47S).