555. At first I wondered how it is that love of self and love of the world could be so diabolical, and how those who are in these loves could be such monsters in appearance; for in the world there is little reflection upon the love of self; but only on that elated state of mind in external matters which is called haughtiness, which because it is so apparent to the sight, is regarded as the only love of self. Furthermore, love of self; when it is not so displayed, is believed in the world to be the very fire of life by which man is stimulated to seek employment and to perform uses, and if he saw no honour or glory in these his mind would grow torpid. They say, "who has ever done any worthy, useful, and distinguished deed except for the sake of being praised and honoured by others, or in the minds of others? And can this be from any other source than the fire of love for glory and honour, consequently for self?" For this reason, it is unknown in the world that love of self; regarded in itself; is the love that rules in hell and makes hell with man. This being so I would first describe what the love of self is, and then (show] that all evils and falsities therefrom spring from that love.