2028. Certain species of wild animals and of fish eat wild animals and fish of their own kind and species, but they do so on account of hunger. These are given to them as food, so that they will not multiply too much. But when they are satisfied, they quiet down. Humans, the more blood they spill, and the more of their neighbor's wealth they rake in, the more they want, never being satisfied. Their hunger increases and grows, even to the point of wanting to possess heaven itself. This is inherent in every least spark of self-love. 1748, 21 May.
2028. Certain species of beasts and fishes eat beasts and fishes of the same genus and species, but that is when they are pressed by hunger, in which case they are furnished from this source with food, thus preventing a too rapid multiplication; but when they are satisfied, they betake themselves to repose. Man, the more blood he sheds, the more he filches of his neighbor's goods, the more he desires, being never satisfied; his cupidity grows and increases till he comes to aspire at the possession of heaven itself, which desire is in fact involved in the least spark of self-love. - 1748, May 21.
2028. Quaedam species ferarum et piscium, ejusdem generis et speciei 1
feras et pisces comedunt, sed id famis causa, iis datae sunt in cibum, ne multiplicarentur nimis, sed cum satiatae sunt, quiescunt; homo quo plus sanguinis effundit, quo plus ex opibus proximorum corradit, eo plus cupit, nusquam satiatur, augetur et crescit fames, usque ut coelum possidere cuperet, quod est in minima scintilla amoris sui. 1748, 21 Maj.
Footnotes:
1. The Manuscript has specie