Page:The Swedenborg Library Vol 3.djvu/74

and good, and thence what is false and evil, but only in believing that to be true and good, or false and evil, which is said to be so by others, and in confirming it afterwards. They who do not see truth from truth itself, but from the dictate of others, may as easily embrace and believe the false as the true, and may also confirm it until it appears to be true. For whatever is confirmed puts on the appearance of truth, and there is nothing which cannot be confirmed. The interiors of such persons are open only from beneath, but their exteriors are open in proportion as they have confirmed themselves. Consequently the light by which they see is not the light of heaven, but the light of the world, which is called natural light. In this light falsities may appear lucid like truths; and when confirmed, they may seem brilliant, but not in the light of heaven. Of this class the less intelligent and wise are they who have confirmed themselves strongly in their opinions, and the more intelligent and wise are they who have confirmed themselves less strongly.

From these considerations the quality of spurious intelligence and wisdom is evident. But in this class are not included those who, in childhood, have supposed those things to be true which they heard from their masters, provided that, when they are older and think from their own understanding, they are not obstinately attached to them, but desire truth, and seek it, and are interiorly affected when they find it. Such men are affected with truth for its own sake, and therefore they see the truth before they confirm it. (H. & H. 352.)