4745. [4752] CONCERNING THE UNDERSTANDING OF THOSE, WHO ONLY CONFIRM GIVEN OR ASSUMED PRINCIPLES. There was a certain one, whom, while alive in the world, people had believed to be learned, because he confirmed the principles of the religion wherein he was born, and this to a great extent. But it was shown, with what understanding he was endowed. He appeared, as it were, bound as to the face and head, which [binding] was arranged according to that perception of things which he possessed in the world. When he had been thus bound, or wrapped up, he said that he understood nothing. I told him that he had been of such a quality in the life of the body, although he may have believed himself to be more enlightened than others because he was acquainted with heretical tenets, and all opinions, and had confirmed the principles of his religion: and that, yet, he possessed no extension of perception, as to whether it was the truth that he confirmed; and that it would have been similar, if he had confirmed truths also, had he not previously seen, from interior sight, that they were truths. It is they who are in good that are enlightened by the Lord With the culture of the present day, the case is such that people believe men to be cultured and learned, provided they know many things, and still more when they have, of themselves, devised several means to confirm them: and yet this is not to be learned, that is, enlightened, for even falses can equally be confirmed; and, from confirmation, one may be persuaded that the thing is so.