Aphorism 19, Example

<p>Summing up the fact of Dominant Desire, it may be said that people act in accordance with the line of the Greatest Satisfaction. This Greatest Satisfaction depends entirely upon the nature of the person—his character—which is regulated by his tendencies, disposition, inherited qualities, results of his experience, environment, education, training, history, etc., all

of which, of course, have other causes behind them. Whatever gives to the person the Greatest Satisfaction evident at the

moment of action or choice, that will he do or choose. This is the rule—test it most rigidly by applying it to your own acts

and decisions, and those of others. But in so testing, do not overlook the effect of Habit as crystallized Desire; nor the effect

of Fear as negative Desire. When two desires are otherwise equal, the one most habitual will win the day. The element of

Fear, or Aversion, is but a Desire “not to,” or “to avoid, or get away from.” Compulsion by others may result in action through Fear. And one often refrains from manifesting a desire because he fears to “pay the price.”</p>

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In the case of hypnotic influence, or the domination of one’s will by another by any means, the rule is not broken, for the

stronger person’s will influences and arouses the Desire of the weaker person. Even in this case, desire or fear is the motive of action or choice. In considering this subject, remember that the Aphorism

says “the sum and average of his desires—the strongest motives always dominating and deciding the choice and action.” We

often are forced to “strike an average” between our conflicting desires. And then again, wisdom, experience and intelligence

enable us to discriminate between the desirability of objects and acts, and thus play an important part in the choice. And

imagination gives us a wider range of choice, by presenting a greater number of objects before us for choice. But wisdom,

experience, intelligence and imagination result from Causes.

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