I spoke with spirits, [asking] who are there in the world but those striving after great things. I was prompted to say that because love of the neighbor no longer exists in the world, the ambition to stand out by various means has taken its place. For what used to arouse people to do good was love of the neighbor, but since this is no more, the ambition to do great things has taken its place, by means of which people are bent by the Lord toward doing good to the neighbor, to society, and to the commonwealth. 1748, 12 Aug.