996. THAT TRUTH TERRIFIES In the other life spirits may be struck with such great terror - even those who during their life had lived almost without feeling terror - that they, as it were, dissolve. Indeed, the terror arises from truth wherein is no goodness or mercy. This terror then penetrates the marrows and as it were breaks the bones; for truth condemns even to the lowest hell, with no perceptible ending. But such terror was not present with those spirits [spoken of above, n. 995], for the truth, or the terror of the truth, invaded only one, and he had been such that he supposed he could never be terrified. But he confessed afterwards that all his courage was taken away and he became utterly abject. So also, terror is brought by a naked arm, as before mentioned [nos. 881-882]. 1748, Feb. 25.