5978. The reason two angels are present with each person is that there are also two kinds of angels; one kind acts on the desires in a person's will, the other on the thoughts in his understanding. Those acting on the desires in a person s will act on his loves and ends in view, consequently on his good intentions, whereas those acting on the thoughts in his understanding act on his faith and principal convictions, consequently on the true ideas he has. Those two kinds also are utterly distinct and separate. Those who act on the desires of a person's will are called celestial, while those who act on the thoughts in his understanding are called spiritual. The genii stand opposed to the celestial angels, the spirits to the spiritual ones. Much experience has led me to know these things; for I am constantly in the company of and talking to those from both sides.

4803. A matter wholly unknown in the world and worthy of mention is this: The states in which good spirits and angels live undergo constant change and perfection. In this way they are conveyed to the more internal parts of the province in which they dwell, and so into more excellent functions. For in heaven purification takes place constantly, which is so to speak a new creation. Yet the situation is that no angel to all eternity can possibly attain complete perfection. The Lord alone is the perfect One, He being the root and the source of all perfection. Those who correspond to the mouth constantly wish to be speaking, for speaking gives them utmost pleasure. While undergoing perfection they are restricted to speaking nothing but that which is beneficial to companions, the community, heaven, and the Lord. The delight they take in speaking in that way grows in the measure that the desire to regard themselves in what they speak and to strive after wisdom from what is properly their own passes away from them.