404. (6) After the nuptials, the first conjunction is through affection for knowing, from which springs affection for truth.  By the nuptials is meant man’s state after birth, from a state of ignorance to a state of intelligence, and from this to a state of wisdom.  The first state which is one of pure ignorance, is not meant here by nuptials, because there is then no thought from the understanding, and only an obscure affection from the love or will.  This state is initiatory to the nuptials.  In the second state, which belongs to man in childhood, there is, as we know, an affection for knowing, by means of which the infant child learns to speak and to read, and afterwards gradually learns such things as belong to the understanding.  That it is love, belonging to the will, that effects this, cannot be doubted; for unless it were effected by love or the will it would not be done.  That every man has, after birth, an affection for knowing, and through that acquires the knowledge by which his understanding is gradually formed, enlarged, and perfected, is acknowledged by every one who thoughtfully takes counsel of experience.  It is also evident that from this comes affection for truth; for when man, from affection for knowing, has become intelligent, he is led not so much by affection for knowing as by affection for reasoning and forming conclusions on subjects which he loves, whether economical or civil or moral.  When this affection is raised to spiritual things, it becomes affection for spiritual truth.  That its first initiatory state was affection for knowing, may be seen from the fact that affection for truth is an exalted affection for knowing; for to be affected by truths is the same as to wish from affection to know them, and when found, to drink them in from the joy of affection.

(7) The second conjunction is through affection for understanding, from which springs perception of truth.  This is evident to any one who is willing by rational insight to examine the matter.  From rational insight it is clear that affection for truth and perception of truth are two powers of the understanding, which in some persons harmonize as one, and in others do not.  They harmonize as one in those who wish to perceive truths with the understanding, but do not in those who only wish to know truths.  It is also clear that every one is in perception of truth so far as he is in an affection for understanding; for if you take away affection for understanding truth, there will be no perception of truth; but give the affection for understanding truth, and there will be perception of truth according to the degree of affection for it.  No man of sound reason ever lacks perception of truth, so long as he has affection for understanding truth.  That every man has a capacity to understand truth, which is called rationality, has been shown above.