956. THAT A MORE PROFOUND ACUMEN OF THOUGHT IS SOMETIMES POSSIBLE IN THOSE WHO ARE PERVERTED No one can judge anyone's life from the acumen of his genius and his penetration into things, for those who are sharper than others may be evil rather than good. Thus those who are deceitful, even the most deceitful, and also robbers, can penetrate into others' thoughts and intentions, and also into their minds, better than other spirits; if they cannot, they are not active robbers; but they turn everything into falsity, evil and deceit according to their cupidities. Thus devils in the other life are so sharp in thinking up deceits and weaving them together, that no one can ever be induced to believe it. Therefore, one who is praised on account of his acumen is not for that reason to be praised on account of his life. From the degree of his acumen no one can hope for anything as a reward in the other life. 1748, Feb. 23.