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 as are merely exhibited in the external form, but such also as they are internally. For every one knows that every deed and work proceeds from man's will and thought; for if it were otherwise, his deed would be mere motion, like that of an automaton or image. Therefore a deed or work in itself considered, is nothing but an effect which derives its soul and life from the will and thought, insomuch that it is will and thought in effect, and will and thought in an external form.

Hence it follows, that such as are the will and thought which produce a deed or work, such also is the deed or work. If the thought and will be good, the deeds and works are good; but if the thought and will be evil, the deeds and works are evil, although outwardly they may appear alike. A thousand men may act alike; that is, they may exhibit a similar deed,—so similar, that as to the outward form their deeds can scarcely be distinguished; and yet the deeds may all be essentially unlike, because they proceed from dissimilar wills.

Take for example, the case of acting sincerely and justly with the neighbor. One man may act sincerely and justly with him, in order that he may appear to be sincere and just for the sake of himself and his own honor; another, for the sake of the world and of gain; a third, for the sake of reward and merit; a fourth, for the sake of friendship; a fifth, through fear of the law, or the loss of reputation and