If I possessed the power of conserving myself, I should likewise have the power of conferring, a fortiori , on myself, all the perfections that are awanting to me (by Axioms VIII and IX ), for these perfections are only attributes of substance, whereas I myself am a substance.

But I have not the power of conferring on myself these perfections, for otherwise I should already possess them (by Axiom VII ).

Hence, I have not the power of self-conservation.