E4P38
Proposition — Part IV
Latin
Id quod corpus humanum ita disponit ut pluribus modis possit affici vel quod idem aptum reddit ad corpora externa pluribus modis afficiendum, homini est utile et eo utilius quo corpus ab eo aptius redditur ut pluribus modis afficiatur aliaque corpora afficiat et contra id noxium est quod corpus ad hæc minus aptum reddit.
English (Elwes 1883)
Whatsoever disposes the human body, so as to render it capable of being affected in an increased number of ways, or of affecting external bodies in an increased number of ways, is useful to man; and is so, in proportion as the body is thereby rendered more capable of being affected or affecting other bodies in an increased number of ways; contrariwise, whatsoever renders the body less capable in this respect is hurtful to man.
Modern English
Whatever disposes the human body so that it can be affected in more ways, or makes it more apt to affect external bodies in more ways, is useful to a person, and the more apt it renders the body to be affected or to affect other bodies, the more useful it is. Conversely, whatever makes the body less apt in this respect is harmful to a person.