The Doctrine of Charity - Swedenborg Foundation

CHARITY 22713. (1) Not to will to do evil to the neighbor is of charity.(2) To will to do good to the neighbor is of charity.(3) A man may do good which he believes to be of charity, and stillnot shun evil; and yet all evil is against charity.(4) In proportion as a man wills not to do evil to the neighbor, hewills to do him good, and not the converse.(5) Evil is first to be removed, because it is against charity, which isdone by looking to the Lord, and by repentance, before the good that aman does is good of charity.(6) The quality of the good which is of charity is according to thecognizance and hence removal of evil by repentance.(7) It follows from this, that the first of charity is to look to the Lordand shun evils as sins; and that the second thing of charity is to dogoods.14. (1) Not to will to do evil to the neighbor is of charity. Everyonesees that charity does no evil to the neighbor; for charity is lovetowards the neighbor, and he who loves anyone fears to do evil tohim. There is a conjunction of souls between them. Whence it isthat when one does evil to him to whom he is conjoined by love, hehas a perception in his soul as if he were doing evil to himself. Whocan do evil to his children, to his wife, to his friends? For to do evilis against the good of love.15. And who does not see that he who cherishes hatred toanother, who acts the adversary and enemy to him, who burns withrevenge, and desires his death, does not love the neighbor? That hewho would commit whoredom with the wife of another, whowould seduce virgins and desert them, and violate women, does notlove the neighbor? That he who would despoil, and under variouspretenses steal his goods, who would injure the reputation of