Allan Kardec-THE Spirit's Book_ The Principles of Spiritist Doctrine (1989)

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THE SPIRITS’ BOOK
"Yes; he always does so, and lie then suffers all the more, for he feels all the evil he has done,
or of which he has been the voluntary cause. Nevertheless, repentance is not always
immediate. There are spirits who obstinately persist in doing wrong, notwithstanding their
sufferings; but, sooner or later, they will see that have taken the wrong road, and repentance
will follow this discovery. It is to their enlightenment that the efforts of the higher spirits are
directed, and that you may usefully direct your own."
995. Are there spirits who, without being wicked, ape indifferent about their own fate?
"There are spirits who do not occupy themselves with anything useful, but are in a state of
expectancy. In such cases they suffer in proportion to their inactivity; for all states and
conditions must conduce to progress, and with them, this progress is effected by the suffering
they experience."
- Have they no desire to shorten their sufferings?
"They have that desire, undoubtedly; but they have not sufficient energy to do what would
give them relief. Are there not among you many who prefer to starve rather than to work?"
996. Since spirits see the harm that is done them by their imperfections, how is it that any of
them Persist in aggravating their Position, and prolonging their state of inferiority, by doing
evil, as spirits, in turning men aside from the right road?
"It is those whose repentance is tardy that act thus. A spirit who repents may afterwards allow
himself to be drawn back into the wrong road by other spirits still more backward than
himself." (971.)
997. We sometimes find that spirits, who are evidently of very he who, urged on by pride,
revolts against God, persisting in his touched by the prayers offered for them. How is it that
others, whom we have reason to believe are more enlightened, show a hardness and a
cynicism that no efforts can vanquish?
"Prayer is only efficacious in the case of spirits who repent; he who, urged on by pride,
revolts against God, persisting in his wrong-doing, and perhaps going even more widely
astray, cannot be acted upon by prayer, and can only derive benefit therefrom when a
glimmering of repentance shall have shown itself in him." (664.)