Hope and fear

from Ethics, Part III: On the Emotions · tr. R. H. M. Elwes (1883)

Part III, Definitions

Hope is nothing else but an inconstant pleasure, arising from the image of something future or past, whereof we to a certain extent doubt the issue. Fear is an inconstant pain, arising from the image of something concerning which we are in doubt.

Part III, Prop. XVIII, Note

There is no hope without fear, and no fear without hope. For he who is in suspense wavers between them.

This text is one of the sources behind Baruch Spinoza, one of the voices you can reflect with.

All chapters in Ethics, Part III: On the Emotions

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