6086. 'And if you know that there are among them men with energy' means the more outstanding contents of doctrine. This is clear from the meaning of 'men with energy' a, the more outstanding contents of doctrine. For 'man' means one who has intelligence and also means truth, 158, 265, 749, 1007, 3174, 4823, and as a consequence means doctrine, while 'energetic' means what is outstanding In the original language 'energy' is expressed by a word that also means strength and power, which in the internal sense means those things that prevail and so are more outstanding.

749. 'Male and female' means truth and good. This is clear from what has been stated already at Chapter 6:19 where 'male and female' have reference to birds, but 'male and mate' ¹ to beasts. The reason is also stated there, namely, that things of the will are married to those of the understanding, but less so those of the understanding regarded in themselves to those of the will. The former exist as male and mate ¹ but the latter as male and female. Now because here the subject first of all is the temptation of that man as regards things of the understanding, as has been stated, the phrase 'male and female' is used, and conflict, or temptation as regards things of the understanding, is meant.

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