The Ethics Part 3 Proposition 4

PropositionNo thing can be destroyed except through an external cause.DemonstrationThis proposition is self-evident. For the definition of any thing affirms the essence of the thing and does not deny it; that is, it affirms the thing’s existence, not its nonexistence. So, if we attend only to the thing itself, and not to any external causes, we will find nothing in it that could destroy it. Q.E.D.CorollaryHence it follows that a thing cannot be destroyed by the force of its own nature, but only by an external cause.ScholiumThis proposition is clear: for it is one of those axioms that make up the foundation of our reasoning. Indeed, everyone must admit that nothing can destroy itself, but only something else with contrary nature. For example, a man is destroyed by a beast, not by his own human nature. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit deborahbutler.substack.com/subscribe