Thus, when we say that the mind contemplates its own weakness, we are merely saying that while the mind is attempting to conceive something which asserts its power of activity, it is checked in its endeavour----in other words (III.xi.

note), it feels pain.

Q.E.D.
Corollary .-- This pain is more and more fostered, if a man conceives that he is blamed by others; this may be proved in the same way as the corollary to III.

liii.
Note .-- This pain, accompanied by the idea of our own weakness, is called humility; the pleasure, which springs from the contemplation of ourselves, is called self--love or self--complacency.

And inasmuch as this feeling is renewed as often as a man contemplates his own virtues, or his own power of activity, it follows that everyone is fond of narrating his own exploits, and displaying the force both of his body and mind, and also that, for this reason, men are troublesome to one another.
Again, it follows that men are naturally envious (III.