549. And their torment was as the torment of a scorpion when it striketh a man.- That this signifies darkening, and hindering from seeing truth, is the result of the persuasion with which the mind is infatuated, is evident from the signification of torment, as denoting the darkening of the mind, and the hindering of it from seeing truth; see above (n. 548); and from the signification of a scorpion, as denoting the persuasive [power] infatuating and suffocating; see also above (n. 544). Therefore by their torment being as the torment of a scorpion when it striketh a man, is signified that the darkening and hindering of the mind from seeing the truth, is the result of the persuasion with which it is infatuated; concerning the nature and origin of the persuasive [power] which infatuates, and as it were suffocates, see above (n. 544). That persuasive [power] is said to be infatuating, because it takes away the use of reason, to such a degree that reason, or the rational mind, sees nothing but that which is spoken by him who possesses that persuasive faculty; for it excites in a moment every thing that consents, and covers over every thing that dissents, and therefore the mind becomes infatuated, because darkened, and drawn away from seeing the truth. That persuasive [power] is also said to be suffocating, because it deprives the understanding of the power of thinking freely, and of extending its view in every direction, as is the case with every rational man, and when this is the case the respiration labours; for the voluntary respiration derives its all from the understanding, therefore it also accommodates itself to the thought thereof, just as the motion of the heart derives its all from the will, and accommodates itself to the affection thereof. That the respiration of the lungs corresponds to the understanding and its thought, and the motion of the heart to the will and its affection, may be seen in the Arcana Coelestia 1119, 3883-3896, 9281). That a strong persuasive [influence] has not only the power of infatuating, but also of suffocating, I have been permitted to learn by real experience.