CL 365 - zeal

CL 365

The zeal of a good love

harbors in its inner aspects friendship and love,

but the zeal of an evil love

harbors in its inner aspects hatred and vengeance. 

We said that zeal appears in outward respects

like anger and rage,

both in those who are prompted by a good love

and in those who are prompted by an evil love. 

But because the internal elements are different,

so also their expressions of anger and rage are different;

and the differences are as follows:

1.  The zeal of a good love is like a heavenly flame,

which never leaps out to attack another,

but only defends itself -

defending itself against an evil assailant

in much the same way

as when such a one rushes at fire and is burned;

whereas the zeal of an evil love is like a hellish flame,

which spontaneously leaps out and rushes upon another

and tries to devour him.

2.  The zeal of a good love

immediately dies down and softens

when the other desists from the attack;

whereas the zeal of an evil love persists

and is not extinguished.

3.  The reason for this is that the internal element in one

who is prompted by a love of good,

is, in itself, gentle, mild, friendly and kind. 

Consequently, even when, to protect itself,

the external element hardens, stiffens, bristles,

and so acts harshly,

still it is tempered by the goodness

which moves its internal element. 

Not so in evil people. 

In them the internal element is hostile, savage, harsh,

seething with hatred and vengeance,

and it feeds on the delights of those emotions. 

And even if it is appeased,

still those emotions lie concealed within,

like fires smoldering in the wood beneath the ash;

and if these fires do not break out in the world,

nevertheless they do after death.