543. How the hells are ruled by the Lord will be briefly told. In general, the hells are ruled by a general outflow from the heavens of Divine Good and Divine Truth whereby the general endeavour flowing forth from the hells is checked and restrained; also by a particular outflow from each heaven and from each society of heaven. The hells are ruled in particular by means of the angels, to whom it is granted to look into the hells and to control the insanities and disturbances there; and sometimes there are sent to them angels who moderate these insanities and disturbances by their presence. But in general, all in the hells are ruled by means of their fears. Some are ruled by fears implanted in the world and still inherent in them; but as these fears are not sufficient, and gradually depart, they are ruled by fears of punishments, by which especially they are deterred from doing evil. The punishments in hell are manifold, lighter or more severe in accordance with the evils. For the most part the more wicked, who excel in cunning and in artifices, and who are able to hold the rest in subjection and servitude by means of punishments and consequent terror, are set over them; but these governors dare not pass beyond the limits prescribed to them. It ought to be known that the sole means of restraining the violence and fury of those who are in the hells is the fear of punishment. There is no other way.