177. [177.] 42. Societies have been formed since then in accordance with all the classes and varieties of affections for good and truth in clear distinction from each other, and so, too, corresponding hellish societies. After spirits have been devastated and purged, they are all now conveyed along appointed paths leading to societies that correspond to and are akin to the interior qualities of their life, nor are they allowed to turn in another direction or to tarry in other places, still less to form for themselves societies and seeming heavens according to their life in outward appearances, as was the case before. It is believed perhaps in the world that a person is saved and enters into heavenly societies in accordance with the thoughts that constitute his understanding of truth; but no one is saved in accordance with these, but in accordance with his affections and the thoughts that result from these, thus in accordance with the goodness of his will and the truth in the intellect proceeding from it. For it is his will and the understanding resulting from it that make a person the person he is, and not the truth in his intellect independent of goodness in his will. The intellect merely teaches how a person should will and act. The evil are with difficulty guided along their appointed paths, because they want to go aside when they sense good people below or above, whom they wish to harm; for all paths are such as the societies above and below them.