3113. CONCERNING A CERTAIN PROUD SPIRIT WHO WAS INFLATED TO THE HIGHEST DEGREE. There was a certain [spirit], although not amongst those of the prouder sort, [fastuosiores] but yet amongst those who have also puffed themselves [inflaverat, I think] up with pride, in the days of their life. When the discourse and idea were touching those who despise others in comparison with themselves, and [suppose] it is they alone who live, and similar [traits], which could agree with his disposition [ei]: for there are many genera and species of pride, according to phantasies [springing] from self-love and contempt of others, in comparison with self: on which account he was permitted to be inflated according to the phantasy, then belonging [penes] to him. He was [then] so inflated as to fill the universe, so that there was no more any space so that he looked around on every side, where to go: but [there being] no longer [any space] anywhere [remains] therefore immovable: and so said that he could not exist [esse], unless restored to his original magnitude. Those who blew him up [out] [insuffabant], were at the hinder part of my head: thus a little above the head. The reason why he was so blown up [out] [insuffatus], was because [his] idea concerning the angels was, that they [are] wretched [miseri] [beings], and thus [are like] crawling worms. This idea also continued, inasmuch as such [spirits] as think they live from themselves, thus that they alone live, regard all angels as such. Wherefore, this was his punishment. - 1748, September 10.