Arcana Coelestia (Elliott) n. 1006

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1006. 'At the hand of every wild animal' means from everything violent residing with a person. This is clear from the meaning of 'a wild animal'. In the Word 'wild animal' means that which is living, as shown in 908. But in the contrary sense 'wild animal' means that which is like a wild animal, and so whatever is savage in man. This too has been shown already. Consequently 'wild animal' means someone whose life is such, that is to say, a violent person or one who does violence to charity; for he is indeed like a wild animal. Love and charity make a person human, while hatred, revenge, and cruelty make a wild animal of him.


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