371. THOSE WHO, IN THE LIFE OF THE BODY, DESIRE TO BE THE GREATEST IN HEAVEN, FROM THE CUPIDITY OF ENVY, AND TO BE ABOVE ALL OTHERS, BECOME DEVILS From the experience of some days I have been taught that those who in the world desire to be eminent above others after the life of the body, and thus are affected with envy against those who are better than themselves, become devils [in the other life], and have similar machinations: that is, they want to learn those things that are spiritual from no other end than that by their aid, and by their own powers, they desire to climb above others, whom they so envy; when nevertheless heavenly affection is that one desires to raise others into heaven, even though he himself should become the least. Those who are such that they envy others and desire to be pre-eminent above others in heaven, can be the subjects of many spirits, which has also been observed. 1747, Dec. 20.