Charity (Whitehead) n. 196

Previous Number Next Number Next Translation See Latin 

196. But to those who perform the duties of their calling only for the sake of food and the necessaries of life; and those who perform them only for a name, that they may be celebrated; and those who perform them only for the sake of the salary, to the end that they may grow rich or may live generously, the above-mentioned diversions are the only uses. They are corporeal and sensual men. Their spirits are unclean, being lusts and appetites. They do the works of their calling for the sake of the diversions. They are human beasts, dead; and their duties are burdens to them. They seek substitutes to do the work of their office, while they retain the name and the salary. When not engaged in the above-named diversions, they are idlers and sloths; they lie in bed, thinking of nothing but how they may find companions to talk, eat, and drink with. They are public burdens. All such after death are shut up in workhouses, where they are under a judge administrator, who daily appoints them the work they are to do; and if they do not do it, no food, or clothing, or bed is given them; and this is continued until they are driven to do something useful. The hells abound with such workhouses, of which something may be said at the end of this work. These workhouses stink; for every grateful odor is from the life of spiritual love, or from the life of the love of use.


This page is part of the Writings of Emanuel Swedenborg

© 2000-2001 The Academy of the New Church