Today, as I was on my way home and got back, I was moved with sadness, and I knew that the sadness originated with a certain spirit, who was upset. He came up to me, saying that in his lifetime he had been a philosopher, probably among the most famous, and had applied his mind to studies of that kind; and now, when he thought them over, he said that he was upset and moved by a great sadness, because he now saw and realized how worthless such pursuits in the world are, and that they are illusions, which take away all light from spiritual and Divine matters. He calls them manure, which is to be thrown away, and had prevented him until now from knowing spiritual, and even more, heavenly things. He is now with me, and sees me writing, and directs me. 1748, the 30th day of January.