E4Cap26
Chapter — Part IV
Latin
Præter homines nihil singulare in natura novimus cujus mente gaudere et quod nobis amicitia aut aliquo consuetudinis genere jungere possumus adeoque quicquid in rerum natura extra homines datur, id nostræ utilitatis ratio conservare non postulat sed pro ejus vario usu conservare, destruere vel quocunque modo ad nostrum usum adaptare nos docet.
English (Elwes 1883)
Besides men, we know of no particular thing in nature in whose mind we may rejoice, and whom we can associate with ourselves in friendship or any sort of fellowship; therefore, whatsoever there be in nature besides man, a regard for our advantage does not call on us to preserve, but to preserve or destroy according to its various capabilities, and to adapt to our use as best we may.
Modern English
Besides human beings, we know of no individual thing in nature whose mind we can take joy in and with whom we can form a friendship or any kind of fellowship. So whatever else exists in nature outside of human beings, our regard for our own advantage does not require us to preserve it, but teaches us to preserve it, destroy it, or adapt it to our use in whatever way suits us best.