Wunsch (1937). But I have also incorporated the work of the Rev. Bruce Rogers
(1995), along with some of my own translation attempts. In a few cases, I have
slightly reworded, or combined what I thought was the best of Rogers and
Wunsch. Their original translations are available at www.heavenlydoctrines.
org along with translations by the Rev. Alfred Acton (1952), Professor John
Chadwick (1996), and a joint translation by the Rev. Samuel Warren and the
Rev. Louis H. Tafel (1915).
Here are the passages:
358. Zeal, in essence, can be compared to a fire that has been set ablaze. . .
. This is because zeal arises from one’s love, just a blaze arises from a fire.
When it first arises, zeal does not look at all like love, but rather like a
hostile enemy, for it vehemently fights against the person who threatens to
hurt what one loves. For this reason, heavenly zeal can be called the defender
and protector of love.
It is the nature of all love to erupt into anger and fury when that which is
loved is threatened in some way, or taken away. If, therefore, a love is touched,
especially a ruling love, it becomes an emotion of the lower mind, and if in
being touched it is wounded, it can turn into anger.
It can be seen from this that zeal is not the highest degree of love but is
love blazing. This is because love is the very being of a person’s life. Therefore,
when anyone attacks or threatens that love, it is perceived as an attack on that
person’s inmost life. A state of wrath ensues against the attacker, like a person’s
state when another approaches to kill him.
Even the most pacific love knows such wrath, as is plain from hens, geese
and birds of all kinds, which rise fearlessly and fly against those who molest
their young or carry off their food. It is common knowledge that certain beasts
show wrath, and wild beasts rage, if their whelps are attacked or their prey is
taken away.
359. Whenever the life’s love is attacked, the life’s heat kindles, flares up
and breaks out against the assailant. The love which has been attacked acts
like an enemy in its vehemence and power, which can be compared to flames
leaping from a fire and scorching someone who attempts to stir it.
This fiery nature is apparent from the flashing eyes, the inflamed face, the
tone of speech, and the accompanying gestures. This is how love, which is
life’s heat, acts. And it does so in order that it may not be extinguished – along
with all the enthusiasm, liveliness and enjoyment that are associated with that
love.
360. We will now explain how love, in response to being attacked, ignites
and blazes into zeal, just as fire bursts into flame. Love resides in a person’s
55