Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 3:33 — 3.3MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS

From the work, Divine Providence 24

24. The Lord provides for the union of goodness and truth in others through contrast. For goodness is not recognized in its true character except by contrast with the less good and by the opposition of evil to it. All discrimination and awareness spring from this, because from it comes their character. For every delight is thus perceived and sensed in comparison with what is less delightful, and in contrast to what is not delightful; everything beautiful in comparison with what is less beautiful, and in contrast to what is not beautiful; likewise every good having to do with love in comparison with what is less good, and in contrast to what is evil; and every truth having to do with wisdom in comparison with what is less true and in contrast to what is false.
Variety inevitably exists in everything from the greatest to the least of it; and when the variety exists also in its opposite from the least to the greatest of it, and there is between them an equilibrium, then a contrast exists between the two by degrees, in accordance with which the perception and sensation of a thing either increases or diminishes.
It must be known, however, that an opposite may either take away or heighten perceptions and sensations. It takes them away when it commingles itself, and it heightens them when it does not commingle itself. Therefore the Lord carefully separates the good and evil in a person to keep them from commingling, even as He separates heaven and hell.