1506. So that the nature of spheres may be known, let some things from experience be cited. A certain spirit whom I had known and spoken to during his lifetime afterwards appeared many times among the evil. This was because he had a high opinion of himself and had acquired a sphere of superiority over others. Because he was like this the spirits began suddenly to flee from there so that none was to be seen except him alone. At that time he was filling the entire sphere round about, which was a sphere of self-regard. Shortly after, when deprived of his companions, he sank into another state; for in the next life anyone who is deprived of the society of his fellows becomes at first so to speak half dead. His life is then maintained solely by the influx of heaven into his interiors. At that point this spirit whom I had known started to groan and to suffer torment. I was told afterwards by other spirits that since he wished to be greater than others, they could not tolerate his presence. At length he was joined by others and was taken on to a height, and from this position it seemed to him that he alone governed the universe; for so far does self-love puff itself up when left to itself. Finally he was cast down among those in hell. Such is the fate awaiting those who imagine that they are greater than others. More than every other kind of love self-love is contrary to mutual love, which constitutes the life of heaven.