773. Not any knowledge is hurtful or detrimental, provided it is not considered to be everything in itself, but a further goal is looked to. It is spiritual wealth, on which the understanding of realities can be based. It is just the same as with riches or wealth, and with power: if one values them only for the sake of riches and power, then one is very badly off in the other life, whereas if they are valued only for further ends, so that they are only means, and are thus regarded as nothing apart from the end, then they do no one any harm. 1748, 14 February.
773. No cognitions are either injurious or hurtful, provided that everything is not set upon them, but some other end is intended. Cognitions are spiritual riches upon which the understanding of things can be established. It is the same as with riches or wealth, and power. If a man esteems them on account of the riches and power, he is then the worst in the other life; but if they are esteemed only for the sake of further ends, so that they are only means, and thus are regarded as of no account if they serve no end, they then injure no one. 1748, Feb. 14.
773. Omnes cognitiones non sunt nocumento, seu damno, modo non in iis ponatur omne, sed alius finis intendatur, sunt divitiae spirituales, quibus fundari [potest] 1
intellectus rerum; similiter se habent ac divitiae seu opes, ac potentiae, quae si aestimentur propter divitias, et potentias, tunc 2
pessimus est talis homo in altera vita, at si modo propter ulteriores fines, ut sint modo media, et sic quod nihili aestimentur, si non finis, tunc nulli nocent. 1748, 14 Febr.
Footnotes:
1. sic in J.F.I. Tafel's edition
2. tum in J.F.I. Tafel's edition