and annihilates the passion, so in extreme Epicurism the passion swallows up and destroys the limit. The restraints are extinguished, and the passions are set up to rule and to reign alone.
38. It might now be shown, in conclusion, from a survey of the human constitution, that the Stoics are more in the, right than the Epicureans; that the facts of our nature, when rightly investigated and understood, bear out the Stoical doctrines to a much greater extent than they do those of the Epicureans. A careful examination of our nature shows us that there is a vital and radical antagonism between our sensations, passions, and desires on the one hand, and our reason and power of thought on the other; our power of thought as shown more particularly in that act through which our personality and self-consciousness are realised. This antagonism shows that our sensations, passions, and desires, so far from constituting our true and essential nature, do rather, on the contrary, tend to prevent that true nature from being realised; while that true nature, our will and personality, in actualising itself, displaces to some extent our sensations, passions, and desires, and abridges their influence, which would otherwise be overwhelming. But I have already said enough on these points, and I think that by means of your own reflections you may be able to work out more fully for yourselves the views which I have been engaged in laying before you.
