129. * freedom and, in fact, no bondage at all, so does not derive in the least from bondage, could be corroborated by many points; but they must be passed by, etc. etc. [See also the last paragraph of WE 4479, concluding the explanation of these verses.] [See WE 4573, explaining Exod. 23:8.] 4574. Hence "the seeing are blinded, and even the just are corrupted," for they cannot know the mind of the deceiver who is speaking and acting; nor does the deceiver himself know his own character and mind, which he sees even less than someone else - especially that dissembler, the serpent, who does this as if from his nature, on its slightest approving nod. Thus the deceit flows as if spontaneously,* * In the original this paragraph is emphasized by the symbol "NB." written in the margin.