Exodus 23:8 Thou shalt take no gift

8 And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous. -Exodus 23:8 King James Version (KJV)

Arcana Coelestia, by Emanuel Swedenborg, [1749-56], tr. by John F. Potts [1905-10], at sacred-texts.com

9265.

And thou shalt not take a present. That this signifies an aversion for any self-advantage whatever, is evident from the signification of "a present," as being everything worldly that is loved, whether it be wealth, dignity, reputation, or anything else which flatters the natural man, which things, speaking generally, are called "self-advantage," and in the internal sense are meant by "a present" which "blinds" and "perverts;" and from the signification of "not to take," as being to be held in aversion, [or a strong dislike] for unless this is the case they are still looked for and taken. But they are held in aversion when what is heavenly and Divine is loved more than what is worldly and earthly; for so far as the one is loved, so far the other is hated, according to the Lord's words in Luke: No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon (Luke 16:13); "to hate" denotes to hold in aversion, for aversion is of hatred, and hatred is opposite to love; wherefore it is said "or he will love the other." From all this it is evident that by "thou shalt not take a present" is signified an aversion for any self-advantage whatever.

9266.

Because a present blindeth those who have their eyes open. That this signifies that matters of self-advantage cause truths not to appear, is evident from the signification of "a present," as being any kind of self-advantage (of which just above, n. 9265); from the signification of "blinding" when said with respect to truths, as being to cause them not to appear; and from the signification of "those who have their eyes open," that is, who see, as being those who know truths and discern what is true; for "to see" signifies to know, understand, and acknowledge truths, and also to have faith (n. 897, 2150, 2325, 2807, 3764, 3863, 3869, 4403-4421, 5114, 5286, 5400, 6805, 8688, 9128). Wherefore "those who have their eyes open" are called "the wise" in another passage: "a present blindeth the eyes of the wise" (Deut. 16:19).