Without the good of innocence in
childhood man would be a wild man (n. 3494). Whatever the mind
is imbued with in childhood appears natural (n. 3494).
278. The innocence of wisdom is genuine innocence, because it is
internal, for it belongs to the mind itself, that is, to the will
itself and from that to the understanding. And when there is
innocence in these there is also wisdom, for wisdom belongs to the
will and understanding. This is why it is said in heaven that
innocence has its abode in wisdom, and that an angel has just so much
of innocence as he has of wisdom. This is confirmed by the fact that
those who are in a state of innocence attribute nothing of good to
themselves, but regard all things as received and ascribe them to the
Lord; that they wish to be led by Him and not by themselves; that
they love everything that is good and find delight in everything that
is true, because they know and perceive that loving what is good,
that is, willing and doing it, is loving the Lord, and loving truth
is loving the neighbor; that they live contented with their own,
whether it be little or much, because they know that they receive
just as much as is good for them-those receiving little for whom a
little is useful, and those receiving much for whom much is useful;
also that they do not themselves know what is good for them, the Lord
alone knowing this, who looks in all things that He provides to what
is eternal.
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