E3DA29
Definition of an Emotion — Part III
Latin
Abjectio est de se præ tristitia minus justo sentire.
Explicatio: Solemus tamen sæpe superbiæ humilitatem opponere sed tum magis ad utriusque effectus quam naturam attendimus. Solemus namque illum superbum vocare qui nimis gloriatur (vide scholium propositionis 30 hujus) qui non nisi virtutes suas et aliorum non nisi vitia narrat, qui omnibus præferri vult et qui denique ea gravitate et ornatu incedit quo solent alii qui longe supra ipsum sunt positi. Contra illum humilem vocamus qui sæpius erubescit, qui sua vitia fatetur et aliorum virtutes narrat, qui omnibus cedit et qui denique submisso capite ambulat et se ornare negligit. Cæterum hi affectus nempe humilitas et abjectio rarissimi sunt. Nam natura humana in se considerata contra eosdem quantum potest nititur (vide propositiones 13 et 54 hujus) et ideo qui maxime creduntur abjecti et humiles esse, maxime plerumque ambitiosi et invidi sunt.
English (Elwes 1883)
Self--abasement is thinking too meanly of one's self by reason of pain.
Explanation: We are nevertheless generally accustomed to oppose pride to humility, but in that case we pay more attention to the effect of either emotion than to its nature. We are wont to call proud the man who boasts too much (III. xxx. note), who talks of nothing but his own virtues and other people's faults, who wishes to be first; and lastly who goes through life with a style and pomp suitable to those far above him in station. On the other hand, we call humble the man who too often blushes, who confesses his faults, who sets forth other men's virtues, and who, lastly, walks with bent head and is negligent of his attire. However, these emotions, humility and self--abasement, are extremely rare. For human nature, considered in itself, strives against them as much as it can (see III. xiii., liv.); hence those, who are believed to be most self--abased and humble, are generally in reality the most ambitious and envious.
Modern English
Self-abasement is thinking too meanly of oneself out of sadness.
Explanation: We are, however, accustomed to oppose pride to humility rather than to self-abasement, but in doing so we attend more to the effects of each affect than to its nature. We tend to call proud the person who boasts too much (E3P30S), who speaks of nothing but his own virtues and others' faults, who wishes to be first among all, and who walks with the bearing and adornment of someone far above his station. Conversely, we call humble the person who blushes often, who confesses his own faults and recounts others' virtues, who yields to everyone, and who walks with bowed head and neglects his appearance.
These affects, humility and self-abasement, are, however, extremely rare. For human nature, considered in itself, strives against them as much as it can (E3P13) (E3P54). Hence those who are most commonly believed to be self-abased and humble are usually, for the most part, ambitious and envious.