Arcana Coelestia (Elliott) n. 6916

Previous Number Next Number Next Translation See Latin 

6916. 'And let a woman ask of her female neighbour, and of the female guest in her house' means that everyone's good will be enriched with such things as are suited to it. This is clear from the meaning of 'a woman as an affection for the good of charity, dealt with in 6014; from the meaning of 'female neighbour' as an affection for truth which is present in those who are in possession of factual knowledge; and from the meaning of 'the female guest in the house' as an affection for good which is also present in them. And because it was her female neighbour and the female guest in her house whom she was to ask, the truths and forms of good which are nearest to it and so suited to it are meant. The implications of all this are clear from the matters discussed just above in 6914. The reason why a woman had to do the asking is that 'a woman' means the good of charity, and this is what is to be enriched; for if good is to be good truths must be present to give it a particular quality. The reason for this is that when one leads a life in accordance with truths, the actual truths are made forms of good, which means that the particular quality which truth possesses becomes that which good possesses. After that this good receives and links to itself no truths other than those in keeping with its particular duality, consequently to none apart from those which are suited to it, thus are in the neighbouring area and in its house.


This page is part of the Writings of Emanuel Swedenborg

© 2000-2001 The Academy of the New Church