An Essay Concerning Humane Understanding, Volume 1: MDCXC, Based on the 2nd Edition, Books 1 and 2Locke, John
Philosophy
An Essay Concerning Humane Understanding, Volume 1: MDCXC, Based on the 2nd Edition, Books 1 and 2
Locke, John
Knowledge, Theory of -- Early works to 1800
39. But any great Uneasiness is never neglected.
This would be the state of the mind, and regular tendency of the will
in all its determinations, were it determined by that which is
considered and in view the greater good. But that it is not so, is
visible in experience; the infinitely greatest confessed good being
often neglected, to satisfy the successive uneasiness of our desires
pursuing trifles. But, though the greatest allowed, even everlasting
unspeakable, good, which has sometimes moved and affected the mind,
does not stedfastly hold the will, yet we see any very great and
prevailing uneasiness having once laid hold on the will, let it not go;
by which we may be convinced, what it is that determines the will. Thus
any vehement pain of the body; the ungovernable passion of a man
violently in love; or the impatient desire of revenge, keeps the will
steady and intent; and the will, thus determined, never lets the
understanding lay by the object, but all the thoughts of the mind and
powers of the body are uninterruptedly employed that way, by the
determination of the will, influenced by that topping uneasiness, as
long as it lasts; whereby it seems to me evident, that the will, or
power of setting us upon one action in preference to all others, is
determined in us by uneasiness: and whether this be not so, I desire
every one to observe in himself.
40. Desire accompanies all Uneasiness.
I have hitherto chiefly instanced in the UNEASINESS of desire, as that
which determines the will: because that is the chief and most sensible;
and the will seldom orders any action, nor is there any voluntary
action performed, without some desire accompanying it; which I think is
the reason why the will and desire are so often confounded. But yet we
are not to look upon the uneasiness which makes up, or at least
accompanies, most of the other passions, as wholly excluded in the
case. Aversion, fear, anger, envy, shame, &c. have each their
uneasinesses too, and thereby influence the will. These passions are
scarce any of them, in life and practice, simple and alone, and wholly
unmixed with others; though usually, in discourse and contemplation,
that carries the name which operates strongest, and appears most in the
present state of the mind. Nay, there is, I think, scarce any of the
passions to be found without desire joined with it. I am sure wherever
there is uneasiness, there is desire. For we constantly desire
happiness; and whatever we feel of uneasiness, so much it is certain we
want of happiness; even in our own opinion, let our state and condition
otherwise be what it will. Besides, the present moment not being our
eternity, whatever our enjoyment be, we look beyond the present, and
desire goes with our foresight, and that still carries the will with
it. So that even in joy itself, that which keeps up the action whereon
the enjoyment depends, is the desire to continue it, and fear to lose
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account