THE LOVES OF SELF AND OF THE WORLD (pt. 7)

The New Jerusalem and Its Heavenly Doctrine
Emanuel Swedenborg
• Doctrinal Series •
THE LOVES OF SELF AND OF THE WORLD
(pt. 7)

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There are two kinds of dominion - one that of love toward the neighbor, the other that of the love of self.

These two kinds of dominion are in their essence altogether opposite to each other.

He who rules from love toward the neighbor, wills good to all, and loves nothing more than to perform uses, thus to be of service to others.

To serve others is to do good to them from good will, and to perform uses.

This is his love, and this is the delight of his heart.

He too, as far as he is elevated to dignities, is likewise glad; not, however, for the sake of the dignities, but for the sake of the uses which he is then able to perform in more abundance and in a greater degree. Such is the dominion in the heavens.

But he who rules from the love of self wishes good to no one, but only to himself and his own. The uses which he performs are for the sake of his own honor and glory, which to him are the only uses. Serving others is to him for the end that he may be served, honored, and that he may rule. He seeks dignities, not for the sake of the goods he may perform, but to be in eminence and glory, and thence in the delight of his heart.

(The New Jerusalem and Its Heavenly Doctrine 72)

• In the manuscript, the author, Emanuel Swedenborg, annexed to each section of the doctrine extracts from the  Arcana Coelestia, because in the  Arcana Coelestia the same things are more fully explained.  Arcana Coelestia is available in print or online.