Charity (Coulson) n. 188

Previous Number Next Number Next Translation See Latin 

188. With those, however, who are not in charity, those same obligations appear similar externally, but are not similar internally. For with them there is neither honesty nor willingness; and therefore, if they are not afraid of the laws, or if they can upon any pretext evade them, they defraud in their payments. With them, not only the things set forth above, but even the laws of justice, are obligations; for these they keep from fear of being punished and of losing renown, and on this account they are doing so because they are obliged to, and not from a love of what is just, thus not from love of the neighbour.


This page is part of the Writings of Emanuel Swedenborg

© 2000-2001 The Academy of the New Church