986. Outer ligaments are spirits who run back and forth, so to speak, and whenever they hear anything at once almost fly to their society and blurt out in a loud voice what the person had said. Several times I have learned this by experience. And there are those in the life of the body who love to do this-that is, to be able to make out what others are thinking, or who think they can, and whatever they hear they cannot keep to themselves, but are carried away by some deep urge to announce it to others in whose circle they are, and who keep them in their company just for this reason. There are spies like this on a larger scale, as well as in particular groups. They hurry around this way in the other life, and are admitted for that purpose, believing they are loved for it; but they are loved as means are to an end. 1748, 25 February.