672. Can anyone of sound reason fail to see that the washing of the face, hands and feet, or of all the limbs, in fact the washing of the whole body in a bath, has no effect except the washing away of dirt, so that to human view one may appear clean in one's human form? And can anyone fail to understand that no washing enters into a person's spirit and makes that equally clean?
[2] Every criminal, robber and brigand can wash himself until he shines; but will this do anything to wipe away his crime, robbery and brigandage? To be sure, it is the internal which influences the external and produces the effects of his will and understanding. It is not the external which influences the internal; that is contrary to nature, being contrary to right order. The previous is the natural way, being in accordance with right order.
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