Therefore, no one can desire, &c.
Q.E.D.
PROP.XXII.

No virtue can be conceived as prior to this endeavour to preserve one's own being.
Proof .-- The effort for self--preservation is the essence of a thing (III.

vii.); therefore, if any virtue could be conceived as prior thereto, the essence of a thing would have to be conceived as prior to itself, which is obviously absurd.
Therefore no virtue, &c.

Q.E.D.
Corollary .-- The effort for self--preservation is the first and only foundation of virtue.

For prior to this principle nothing can be conceived, and without it no virtue can be conceived.
PROP.XXIII.