P69: The virtue of a free man is seen to be as great in avoiding dangers as in overcoming them.

Dem.: The affects can be neither restrained nor removed except by an affect contrary to and stronger than the affect to be restrained (by P7). But blind Daring and Fear are affects which can be conceived to be equally great (by P3 and P5). Therefore, an equally great virtue of the mind, or strength of character (for the definition of this, see IIIP59 S) is required to restrain Daring as to restrain Fear, i.e. (by Defs. Aff. XL and XLI), a free man avoids dangers by the same virtue of the mind by which he tries to overcome them, q.e.d.

Cor.: In a free man, a timely flight is considered to show as much Tenacity as fighting; or a free man chooses flight with the same Tenacity, or presence of mind, as he chooses a contest.

Schol.: I have explained in IIIP59 S what Tenacity is, or what I understand by it. And by danger I understand whatever can be the cause of some evil, such as Sadness, Hate, Discord, etc.