414. I have had various conversations with angels on the subject of innocence; and they have said that innocence is the essence of all good, and that good is good to the extent that it has innocence in it. Moreover, because wisdom has to do with life, and thus with good, wisdom is wisdom in the measure of the character it derives from innocence. The same is true of love, charity, and faith, they said; and for that reason no one can enter heaven unless he possesses innocence. This, too, is meant by these words of the Lord:

Let little children come to Me, do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of heaven as a little child will not enter it. (Mark 10:14-15, Luke 18:16-17) ¹

Here, as also elsewhere in the Word, by little children are meant those who are in innocence.

Good is good to the extent that it has innocence in it, because all good is from the Lord, and to be led by the Lord is innocence.

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