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to them as to the feelings. We say of a desire as of an emotion, that it is strong or weak, firm or changeable, intense or feeble; and sometimes, as in the case of avarice, speak of it as becoming a passion. Our desires, also, maybe directly opposed to our volitions. We greatly covet a certain possession, but our pride constrains us not to ask for it. We wish the pleasure of a given action, but through fear determine not to perform it. A state of desire, like every state of feeling, is antecedent to volition, and may or may not find play in subsequent choices. As a desire it may arise and pass away emotionally, like envy or jealousy or sympathy or love, and find no expression in action, awaken not the will at all. It may either meet with acceptance by the mind, or suffer rejection by it. Desire, then, should be included in the field of the emotions, where it arises, and spends its power. It does not, in the fact that it gives occasion to the will for activity in providing for its gratification, differ from other feelings. These also, as long as they last, are springs of volition.
Lesson 11 - Awareness - 5. Volition and choice, not separable - p.31
5. An attempt has been made to divide the department of will, into choice and volition. A color of plausibility is given to this division by distinguishing between initiatory volition and executive volition. The first is termed choice, the second volition. When two diverse lines of action are contemplated, and the mind is as yet undecided between them, the desires have free play, the sense of moral obligation is present, and the conflict awaits a definite settlement by a choice, a fixed determination, in favor of one or the other. We sometimes, at this point, use the word choice out of the meaning which should attach to it as pertaining to volition. Thus we say, " My choice would be this line of effort," though we actually accept and pursue another. Choice is thus made to express a state of desire, not one of will. The word choice, however, in its use
