AR 792 - When Goodness Is Possible; AR 793 - Craftsmen

AR 792 [2]

Goodness is possible 
only in people who desire truths. 
But the only people 
who desire truths from a spiritual affection 
are those who turn to the Lord. 

AR 793

In the spiritual sense of the Word, 
a craftsman symbolizes an intelligent person 
and a thinking one by virtue of his intellect - 
in a good sense, 
someone who uses his intellect 
to think thoughts that are true, 
which are heavenly, 
and in a bad sense, 
someone who uses his intellect 
to think thoughts that are false, 
which are infernal. 
Moreover, because all of these thoughts 
are of many kinds, 
and each kind consists of many varieties, 
and each variety again of many kinds and varieties, 
but which we call particulars and specifics, 
therefore the text says, "no craftsman of any craft."

By virtue of their arts and crafts, too, 
and the correspondence of these, 
craftsmen symbolize such things as have to do 
with wisdom, intelligence and knowledge. 
We say, by virtue of their correspondence, 
because a person's every work, 
likewise his every undertaking, 
corresponds to such things 
as have to do with the intelligence of angels, 
provided it is of some use. 
But the works of craftsmen 
in gold, silver and precious stones 
correspond to some matters or objects 
of angelic intelligence, 
the works of craftsmen 
in bronze, iron, wood and stone to others, 
and the works of craftsmen 
in other valuable endeavors, 
such as the making of cloth, linens, 
garments and clothing of various kinds, 
to still others. 
All of these arts and crafts have, 
as we said, a correspondence, 
because they are works.