No one can judge about anyone's life by the sharpness of their thinking and penetration in various matters, for the evil may be sharper than the rest, rather than the good. For example, swindlers, even the worst ones, and thieves, can better penetrate the thoughts and intentions, and the feelings, of others, than any; if not, they are not diligent thieves. But they direct all [their sharpness] to falsehood, evil, deception, or to whatever is consistent with their desires. Thus devils in the other life are so sharp, and so occupied in contriving treachery, that no one could ever be brought to believe it. Those who are praised for their acuteness, therefore, are not on that account to be praised for their life, for no one can hope for any reward in the other life because of a capacity for sharp thinking. 1748, 23 February.