4166. 'Because you have felt all around my vessels, what have you found belonging to all the vessels of your house?' means that no truths had been that good's very own but all had been given. This is clear from the meaning of 'the vessels of his house' as the truths that are its own. 'Vessels' means the truths, see 3068, 3079, 3316, 3318, and so 'the vessels of his house', it is evident, means the truths that are its own. 'Feeling around for those vessels and not finding them' means that none had been its own and consequently that all had been given. For the implications of all this, see 4151.

3068. 'Let down now your pitcher' means submitting facts. This becomes clear from the meaning of 'letting down' as submitting, and from the meaning of 'a pitcher' as facts. The reason why a water-pot or a pitcher means facts is that 'water' means truth, 680, 739, 2702, and a pitcher is a vessel with water in it, even as factual knowledge is a vessel with truth in it. All factual knowledge is a vessel for truth, and all truth is a vessel for good. Factual knowledge without truth is an empty vessel, and so is truth without good; but factual knowledge in which truth is held is a vessel that is filled, as is truth in which good is held. Affection which is an attribute of love is what joins them together so that they may exist in order. For love is spiritual conjunction.