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E4P22D

Demonstration — Part IV

Latin

Conatus sese conservandi est ipsa rei essentia (per propositionem 7 partis III). Si igitur aliqua virtus posset hac nempe hoc conatu prior concipi, conciperetur ergo (per definitionem 8 hujus) ipsa rei essentia se ipsa prior, quod (ut per se notum) est absurdum. Ergo nulla virtus etc. Q.E.D.

English (Elwes 1883)

The effort for self--preservation is the essence of a thing (III. vii.); therefore, if any virtue could be conceived as prior thereto, the essence of a thing would have to be conceived as prior to itself, which is obviously absurd. Therefore no virtue, &c. Q.E.D.

Modern English

The *conatus* to preserve oneself is the very essence of a thing (E3P7). If, then, some virtue could be conceived prior to this — prior, that is, to this *conatus* — the essence of the thing would have to be conceived prior to itself, which (as is self-evident) is absurd. Therefore no virtue, etc. Q.E.D.

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