Afterlife: A Guided Tour of Heaven and Its Wonders - Swedenborg ...

AFTERLIFE
only that, if love for oneself does not express itself in pride,
then we in the world think it is the vital fire that rouses us
to work for high position and to do constructive things.
We believe that if we saw no prospect of esteem and glory
in these efforts, our spirits would become sluggish. People
ask, “Who would do anything decent or useful or remark -
able except to be praised and respected by others, [openly]
or in their thoughts; and where does this come from
except from the fire of a love for glory and esteem—that
is, for the sake of self” This is why people in the world do
not realize that in its own right love for oneself is the love
that rules in hell and that makes hell within us.
Since this is in fact the case, I should like first to
describe what love for oneself is, and then explain that
every thing evil and false wells up from this love.
Love for oneself is intending well to oneself alone, not
to others except for the sake of oneself—not the church,
the country, or any human community. It is helping them
solely for the sake of one’s own reputation and rank and
glory. Unless these can be seen in the services we offer, we
are saying at heart, “What difference does it make Why
should I What’s in it for me” So we forget it. We can see
from this that people who are absorbed in a love for them -
selves do not love their church or country or com munity
or any constructive activity. They love only them selves.
Their only pleasure lies in self-gratification; and since the
pleasure that stems from love constitutes human life, their
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