E4P52S
Scholium — Part IV
Latin
Est revera acquiescentia in se ipso summum quod sperare possumus. Nam (ut propositione 25 hujus ostendimus) nemo suum esse alicujus finis causa conservare conatur et quia hæc acquiescentia magis magisque fovetur et corroboratur laudibus (per corollarium propositionis 53 partis III) et contra (per corollarium propositionis 55 partis III) vituperio magis magisque turbatur, ideo gloria maxime ducimur et vitam cum probro vix ferre possumus.
English (Elwes 1883)
Self--approval is in reality the highest object for which we can hope. For (as we showed in IV. xxv.) no one endeavours to preserve his being for the sake of any ulterior object, and, as this approval is more and more fostered and strengthened by praise (III. liii. Coroll.), and on the contrary (III. lv. Coroll.) is more and more disturbed by blame, fame becomes the most powerful of incitements to action, and life under disgrace is almost unendurable.
Modern English
Self-approval is indeed the highest thing we can hope for. No one tries to preserve his own being for the sake of some further end (E4P25). Because self-approval is increasingly fostered and strengthened by praise (E3P53C), and on the contrary is increasingly disturbed by blame (E3P55C), we are chiefly driven by the desire for glory, and can barely endure a life marked by disgrace.