Arcana Coelestia (Potts) n. 8801

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8801. If a beast, if a man, he shall not live. That this signifies that good and truth will lose their spiritual life, is evident from the signification of "a beast," as being the affection of good (see n. 45, 46, 142, 143, 246, 714, 715, 776, 2179, 2180, 3218, 3519, 5198, 7523); from the signification of "a man" as being truth (n. 3134, 3459, 7716); and from the signification of "living," as being spiritual life (n. 5890); consequently "not to live" denotes to lose that life. Good and truth lose life when the influx from the Lord is no longer perceived, for from this they have their life. The very good and truth then indeed appear in outward aspect like good and truth; but not otherwise than as something painted, which in itself is not alive.


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