d are in the second or
middle heaven; while those in whom the third degree has been opened
are in the third or inmost heaven. The wisdom of angels in the
heavens is in accordance with these degrees. Therefore the wisdom of
the angels of the inmost heaven immeasurably surpasses the wisdom of
angels of the middle heaven, and the wisdom of these immeasurably
surpasses the wisdom of angels of the outmost heaven (see above,
n. 209, 210; and what degrees are, n. 38). There are such differences
because the things which are in the higher degree are particulars,
and those in the lower degree are generals, and generals are
containants of particulars. Particulars compared with generals are as
thousands or myriads to one; and such is the wisdom of the angels of
a higher heaven compared with the wisdom of the angels of a lower
heaven. In like manner the wisdom of the latter surpasses the wisdom
of man, for man is in a bodily state and in those things that belong
to the bodily senses, and man's bodily sense belongs to the lowest
degree. This makes clear what kind of wisdom those possess who think
from things of sense, that is, who are called sensual men, namely,
that they have no wisdom, but merely knowledge.{2} But it is
otherwise with men whose thoughts are raised above the things of
sense, and especially with those whose interiors have been opened
even into the light of heaven.

{Footnote 1} So far as man is raised up from outward towards
inward things he comes into light, that is, into intelligence
(n. 6183, 6313). There is an actual elevation (n. 7816, 10330).
Elevation from outward to inward things is like elevation out
of a mist into light (n. 4598). As outer things in man are
farther removed from the Divine they are relatively obscure (n.
6451). Likewise relatively confused (n. 996, 3855). Inner
things are more perfect because they are nearer to the Divine
(n. 5146, 5147). In what is internal there are thousands and
thousands of things that appear in what is external as one
general thing (n. 5707). Consequently as thought and perception
are more interior they are clearer (n. 5920).

{Footnote 2} The sensual is the outmost of man's life adhering
to and inhering in his bodily part (n. 5077, 5767, 9212, 9216,
9331, 9730). He is called a sensual man who judges all things
and draws all his conclusions from the bodily senses, and
believes nothing except what he sees with his eyes and touches