E4P16D
Demonstration — Part IV
Latin
Affectus erga rem quam futuram imaginamur, remissior est quam erga præsentem (per corollarium propositionis 9 hujus). At cupiditas quæ ex vera boni et mali cognitione oritur, tametsi hæc cognitio circa res quæ in præsentia bonæ sunt, versetur, restingui vel coerceri potest aliqua temeraria cupiditate (per propositionem præcedentem cujus demonstratio universalis est); ergo cupiditas quæ ex eadem cognitione quatenus hæc futurum respicit, oritur, facilius coerceri vel restingui poterit etc. Q.E.D.
English (Elwes 1883)
Emotion towards a thing, which we conceive as future, is fainter than emotion towards a thing that is present (IV. ix. Coroll.). But desire, which arises from the true knowledge of good and evil, though it be concerned with things which are good at the moment, can be quenched or controlled by any headstrong desire (by the last Prop., the proof whereof is of universal application). Wherefore desire arising from such knowledge, when concerned with the future, can be more easily controlled or quenched, &c. Q.E.D.
Modern English
An affect toward a thing we imagine as future is weaker than toward a present thing (E4P9C). But desire arising from true knowledge of good and bad — even when that knowledge concerns things that are good in the present — can be quenched or checked by some reckless desire (E4P15), the demonstration of which is universal. Therefore desire arising from that same knowledge, insofar as it concerns the future, can still more easily be checked or quenched. Q.E.D.