4223. I realized that the angels are not concerned about anything else in people than their motives. When a motive looking to self and the world comes up in a person, then they set themselves against it, and remove it as far as they are able, turning it into a good motive, and when a good motive arises, then they are delighted. Insofar as there is a good motive, so far they are present, and insofar as there is an evil motive, they take distance. But still, by the Lord they are empowered to turn the latter away from casting themselves headlong into the greatest evils, and this by arousing outer restraints that have become familiar to them. 1749, 15 April.
