x.) But that a man, from the necessity of his own nature, should endeavour to become non--existent, is as impossible as that something should be made out of nothing, as everyone will see for himself, after a little reflection.
PROP.XXI.

No one can desire to be blessed, to act rightly, and to live rightly, without at the same time wishing to be, act, and to live--in other words, to actually exist.
Proof .-- The proof of this proposition, or rather the proposition itself, is self--evident, and is also plain from the definition of desire.

For the desire of living, acting, &c., blessedly or rightly, is (Def.

of the Emotions, i.) the essence of man--that is (III.

vii.), the endeavour made by everyone to preserve his own being.