E4P61D
Demonstration — Part IV
Latin
Cupiditas (per 1 affectuum definitionem) absolute considerata est ipsa hominis essentia quatenus quocunque modo determinata concipitur ad aliquid agendum adeoque cupiditas quæ ex ratione oritur hoc est (per propositionem 3 partis III) quæ in nobis ingeneratur quatenus agimus, est ipsa hominis essentia seu natura quatenus determinata concipitur ad agendum ea quæ per solam hominis essentiam adæquate concipiuntur (per definitionem 2 partis III) : si itaque hæc cupiditas excessum habere posset, posset ergo humana natura in se sola considerata se ipsam excedere sive plus posset quam potest, quod manifesta est contradictio ac proinde hæc cupiditas excessum habere nequit. Q.E.D.
English (Elwes 1883)
Desire (Def. of the Emotions, i.) considered absolutely is the actual essence of man, in so far as it is conceived as in any way determined to a particular activity by some given modification of itself. Hence desire, which arises from reason, that is (III. iii.), which is engendered in us in so far as we act, is the actual essence or nature of man, in so far as it is conceived as determined to such activities as are adequately conceived through man's essence only (III. Def. ii.). Now, if such desire could be excessive, human nature considered in itself alone would be able to exceed itself, or would be able to do more than it can, a manifest contradiction. Therefore, such desire cannot be excessive. Q.E.D.
Modern English
Desire (E3DA1), considered absolutely, is the very essence of a human being insofar as it is conceived as determined in any way whatsoever to do something. Desire that arises from reason — that is (E3P3), desire that is engendered in us insofar as we act — is therefore the very essence or nature of a human being insofar as it is conceived as determined to do those things that are adequately conceived through the essence of the human being alone (E3D2). If such desire could be excessive, then human nature considered in itself alone could exceed itself, or could do more than it can — a manifest contradiction. Therefore this desire cannot be excessive. Q.E.D.