3039. It is the nature of evil spirits to want the good not to resist, but to yield, so that they can bring every evil upon them, but I replied to them that they cannot help resisting, and if they did not resist, they would be abusing their goodness, and would intend to destroy all in heaven and on the earth, so there is resistance. And in fact the world of spirits is therefore such that evil is inflicted on them by the evil, although the good seem to participate with them, when yet it is not so. 1748, 2 Sept.
3039. Of such a nature are evil spirits, that they wish the good may never resist, but yield, so that they may be able to bring all evil upon them; but it was replied to them, that [the good] cannot but resist; and if there were no resistance, these would abuse their goodness, and aim to destroy all in heaven and earth; wherefore there is resistance, yea, the world of spirits is therefore such that evil is inflicted on them by evil, although the good seem to be together [with them], when yet it is not so. - 1748, September 2.
3039. Tales sunt mali spiritus, ut velint quod boni nusquam resistant sed cedant, sic ut possint iis omne malum inferre, at responsum iis, quod non possint non resistere, et si non resisteretur, abuterentur ii bonitate eorum, et intenderent 1
perdere omnes in coelo et in terra, quare resistitur, et quidem mundus spirituum ideo talis est, ut malum iis infligatur a malis, quamvis boni videntur una esse, cum tamen non ita est. 1748, 2 Sept.
Footnotes:
1. This is how it appears in J.F.I. Tafel's edition; the Manuscript has intendere