Arcana Coelestia volume 7 - Swedenborg Foundation

ARCANA COELESTIA 3784has regard to the things of faith, and “good” to the things ofcharity, is in accordance with the constant usage everywhere in theWord, in which wherever two adjectives are applied to one thing,one involves what is of faith, and the other what is of charity; andthis because of the marriage of truth and good in every detail of theWord (see n. 683, 793, 801, 2173, 2516, 2712, 4137, 5138). That“fat” signifies the things of faith, and “good” the things of charity,is plain also from the foregoing parallel passages about the kine (n.5199, 5200). The memory-knowledges into which the things offaith and of charity can be applied are very many, such as all thememory-knowledges of the church which are signified by “Egypt”in a good sense (n. 4749, 4844, 4964, 4965); and consequently allthose memory-knowledges which are truths about correspondences,representatives, significatives, influx, order, intelligence andwisdom, and the affections; and also all truths of inner and outernature, both visible and invisible, because these correspond tospiritual truths.5214. And behold seven ears, thin. That this signifies memoryknowledgesof no use is evident from the signification of “ears” asbeing memory-knowledges (of which above, n. 5212); and fromthe signification of “thin” as being what is of no use. For “thin” ishere contrasted with “full,” and that is said to be “full” in whichthere is use, or what is the same thing, in which there is good; forevery good thing is of use; and therefore “thin” is what is of no use.The memory-knowledges of no use are those which have no otherend than glory and pleasure. These ends are of no use, because theydo not benefit the neighbor.5215. And parched with the east wind. That this signifies full oflongings is evident from the signification of “parched with the eastwind” as being to be consumed by the fire of longings. For the“east wind” and the “east,” in the genuine sense, are love to theLord and love toward the neighbor (see n. 101, 1250, 3249, 3708,3762); hence in the opposite sense they are love of self and love ofthe world, consequently evil desires and longings; for these belongto the loves referred to. “Fire” is predicated of these things for the