Spiritual Experiences (Buss) n. 1207

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1207. CONCERNING THOSE WHO ARE HONEST IN EXTERNALS, BUT INWARDLY ARE RAPACIOUS There are some who outwardly have an honest face and life, so that no one can suspect that they are any otherwise than honest, for they take the greatest care so to appear on account of their own honor. If they strive to advance there is then an innate fear lest they should appear differently to any one, although they are inwardly such, that if they could despoil any one of his goods they would do so with pleasure. Even though they do not despoil others they still desire to do it, but self-honor, the laws of society, and other things, restrain them from carrying it out in deed. If, therefore, it would not become plainly manifest to the world, they would do it without conscience; and perhaps also they have done it when they could know that it would not be detected. Nor do they fear to do the like by means of others so long as the blame falls upon those who do it, and no blame appears attached to themselves. Wherefore, they are such as though they had actually done it, and in addition deceit is added since they desired to do it secretly, or by means of others.


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