Heavenly Doctrine (Tafel) n. 103

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103. These things belong to the love of the neighbour, that is to charity, because, as was said above, every man is a neighbour, yet in a different manner. A smaller or larger society is a neighbour in a higher degree; one's country in a still higher degree; the Lord's kingdom in a higher degree still; and the Lord Himself is a neighbour more than all; and, in a universal sense, the good which proceeds from the Lord is the neighbour; consequently also sincerity and justice. Wherefore he who does good of whatever kind, for the sake of good, and who acts sincerely and justly for the sake of sincerity and justice, loves the neighbour, and practises charity; for he acts from the love of what is good, sincere and just; and, consequently, from the love of those in whom is good, sincerity and justice.


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