h are comprised and represented all its graces and beauties, from
the greatest to the least; and the inferior characters represent the
least, even till they become extinct; but it is provided by law, that
nothing of the opposite, which is indecorous and dishonorable, should be
exhibited, except figuratively, and as it were remotely. The reason of
which provision is, because nothing that is honorable and good in any
virtue can by successive progressions pass over to what is dishonorable
and evil: it only proceeds to its least, when it perishes; and when that
is the case, the opposite commences; wherefore heaven, where all things
are honorable and good, has nothing in common with hell, where all
things are dishonorable and evil."

18. During this conversation, a servant came in and brought word, that
the eight wise ones, invited by the prince's order, were arrived, and
wished to be admitted; whereupon the angel went out to receive and
introduce them: and presently the wise ones, after the customary
ceremonies of introduction, began to converse with them on the
beginnings and increments of wisdom, with which they intermixed various
remarks respecting its progression, shewing, that with the angels it
never ceases or comes to a period, but advances and increases to
eternity. Hereupon the attendant angel said to them, "Our prince at
table while talking with these strangers respecting the seat or abode of
wisdom, showed that it consists in use: if agreeable to you, be pleased
to acquaint them further on the same subject." They therefore said,
"Man, at his first creation, was endued with wisdom and its love, not
for the sake of himself, but that he might communicate it to others from
himself. Hence it is a maxim inscribed on the wisdom of the wise, that
no one is wise for himself alone, or lives for himself, but for others
at the same time: this is the origin of society, which otherwise could
not exist. To live for others is to perform uses. Uses are the bonds of
society, which are as many in number as there are good uses; and the
number of uses is infinite. There are spiritual uses, such as regard
love to God and love towards our neighbour; there are moral and civil
uses, such as regard the love of the society and state to which a man
belongs, and of his fellow-citizens among whom he lives; there are
natural uses, which regard the love of the world and its necessities;
and there are corporeal uses, such as regard the love of
s