178. * CONCERNING THE FOOD AND DRINK OF SPIRITS Everyone can know that spirits and angels do not enjoy natural food and drink, though they still long and desire to be refreshed; their food and drink, however, are spiritual, namely, that they continually desire to know whatever occurs, and are scarcely ever satisfied. The food of celestial angels is love, and at the same time, the intelligence of truth and good, by which especially they are gladdened. The food of spirits who are to be called affections are the many affections in agreement with their nature, and the cupidities of knowing are their drink; for there is nothing that they do not long to know, whether it concerns them or not. For this reason, also, in the Word of God Messiah, wisdom is called heavenly food, and intelligence heavenly drink. * Numbers 171-177 do not occur in the manuscript.