3095. And she hasted and emptied her pitcher into the trough. That this signifies the separation of the affection of the truth which was being initiated into Divine good, is evident from the signification of “emptying the pitcher,” as being to separate the truth; for by a “pitcher,” as a containing vessel, is signified not merely the memory-knowledge in which is truth, but also the truth in which is good (see n. 3068, 3079); and here, because initiation is treated of, it signifies the truth which was being initiated into Divine good. And because truth itself cannot possibly be conjoined with good except through its affection (see n. 3024 at the beginning, 3066), for in affection is the life through which is conjunction, therefore here it is the affection of truth that is meant. The meaning of the passage is also evident from the signification of a “trough,” or “watering place,” as being the good of truth; for the water in the trough signifies truth (see n. 739, 2702), and the trough itself signifies the same as wood, namely, good (see n. 2784, 2812). The good of truth is that which is produced from good by means of truth, and is like an offspring born of truth as a mother, and of good as a father. All the genuine good in the natural man is from this, that is, from the marriage of good and truth in the rational. This good is that which is called the good of truth, and is signified in the Word by a “trough,” or “watering place.”

3066. And the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw waters. That this signifies the affections of truth and instruction through them, is evident from the signification of “daughters,” as being affections (see n. 489-491, 2362); and from the signification of “the men of the city,” as being truths. (The inhabitants of a city are frequently called in the Word the “men of the city,” and frequently the “inhabitants of the city;” when they are called the “men of the city,” truths are signified, and when they are called the “inhabitants,” goods are signified; what “men” signify, may be seen above, n. 265, 749, 915, 1007, 2517; and what “inhabitants,” n. 2268, 2451, 2712; what a “city,” n. 402, 2450, 2943.) The signification of the above words is evident also from the signification of “drawing water,” as being to be instructed (see above, n. 3058). Hence it is evident that by the “daughters of the men of the city coming out to draw waters,” are signified the affections of truth, and instruction through them. No one is ever instructed by means of truths, but by means of the affections of truth; for truths apart from affection do indeed come to the ear as sound, but do not enter into the memory; that which causes them to enter into the memory and to abide in it, is affection. For the good of affection is like soil, in which truths are sown as seeds; but such as the soil is (that is, such as the affection is), such is the produce of that which is sown. The end or use determines the quality of the soil, or of the affection, and thus the quality of the produce of what is sown; or, if you prefer to say so, the love itself determines it; for in all things the love is the end and the use, for nothing is regarded as the end and use except that which is loved.