Spiritual Experiences (Odhner) n. 1737

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1737. For there are people who stay with the literal meaning of the Word, and yet for various reason admit of a deeper meaning. This they do when trying to affirm their own theories or creeds, for which purpose they collect confirmatory materials from among any opinions available, including very inward ones when they fit in with their theories. Then also, when inward and very inward matters favor their ambitions, they do the same as when those matters favor their theories, but otherwise they reject them; and when they view inward and very inward matters by themselves, they shun and almost hate them and become their opponents and enemies. It is another matter if they can claim to have originated them, as new discoveries; then they love them for the sake of their own glory and praise, even if they do not understand them.


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