An emotion towards a thing, which we know not to exist at the present time, and which we conceive as possible, is more intense, other conditions being equal, than an emotion towards a thing contingent.
Proof .-- In so far as we conceive a thing as contingent, we are affected by the conception of some further thing, which would assert the existence of the former (IV.Def.

iii.); but, on the other hand, we (by hypothesis) conceive certain things, which exclude its present existence.

But, in so far as we conceive a thing to be possible in the future, we there by conceive things which assert its existence (IV.

iv.), that is (III.

xviii.), things which promote hope or fear: wherefore an emotion towards something possible is more vehement.