IV-XLI. Pleasure in itself is not bad but good: contrariwise, pain in itself is bad.

The EthicsBenedict de Spinoza

PROP. XLI. Pleasure in itself is not bad but good: contrariwise, pain in itself is bad.

Proof.—Pleasure (III. xi. and note) is emotion, whereby the body’s power of activity is increased or helped; pain is emotion, whereby the body’s power of activity is diminished or checked; therefore (IV. xxxviii.) pleasure in itself is good, &c. Q.E.D.



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