Heavenly Doctrine (Tafel) n. 89

Previous Number Next Number Next Translation See Latin 

89. That it is love that causes any one to be a neighbour, and that every one is a neighbour according to the quality of his love, appears clearly from the case of those who are in the love of self. They acknowledge as a neighbour those by whom they themselves are loved most; that is, in the proportion in which they belong to them. These they embrace; these they kiss; to them they do good; and these they call brethren: nay, being evil, they call them neighbour in preference to others; the rest they acknowledge for a neighbour in proportion as they are loved by them; and thus according to the quality and extent of their love. Such persons derive the origin of the neighbour from themselves, because it is the love that causes and determines [the neighbour]. Those, on the other hand, who do not love themselves in preference to others, as is the case with all those who are of the Lord's kingdom, derive the origin of the neighbour from Him whom they ought to love above all things, and thus from the Lord. They also will esteem every one as a neighbour according to the quality of his love to the Lord, and from the Lord. From this it becomes plain, from whence the man of the Church ought to derive the origin of the neighbour; and that every one is a neighbour, according to the good which is from the Lord; and consequently, that good itself is the neighbour.


This page is part of the Writings of Emanuel Swedenborg

© 2000-2001 The Academy of the New Church