9982. The belief that they will be rewarded if they do what is good does no harm to those in a state of innocence, such as young children and simple people; but if they become fixed in that belief when they are adult it is harmful. For a person is initially introduced to good by the prospect of reward and deterred from evil by the prospect of punishment. But to the extent that he comes into the good of love and faith he is removed from the thought of merit in the good deeds he performs.