1179. But then I said to them, if I were to quote something from their mouth and say that their words contained very deep secrets, and if I praised their wisdom, saying that such things were hidden within their conversation, then would they perhaps laugh? But they remained silent.
However, I realized that such talk was agreeable to them, because it flattered their nature; so one can sense that they are tainted with self-love. But the reason why they are in the inward heaven is too profound to be disclosed.
1179. But when I said to them that if perchance I were to take something from their mouth, and should say that in their words there were more interior arcana, and should praise their wisdom because of such hidden things in their discourse, then they would perhaps smile with pleasure. But they were silent. I perceived, nevertheless, that such a speech would be agreeable to them because it would flatter their nature; thus it can be perceived that they were also imbued with the love of self. But the reason why they are in the interior heaven is too hidden to be published.
1179. At vero quum iis dixi, si forte ex ore eorum aliquid caperem, et dicerem verbis eorum inesse arcana intimiora, et si laudarem sapientiam eorum quod 1
talia occultata essent eorum sermoni, tunc [eos] forte arrisuros, siluerunt, percepi 2
tamen, quod talis sermo conveniret, quia naturae eorum adblandiretur, ita percipi potest, quod quoque amore sui imbuti sint; sed causa cur ii in interiori coelo sint, arcanior est, quam ut propalanda sit. 3
Footnotes:
1. The Manuscript has eorum, quod
2. In the Manuscript percipio imperfecte in percipi emendatum
3. This is how it appears in J.F.I. Tafel's edition; the Manuscript has sint