Choose a topic from Part 1:
1. One angel can enlighten another, the superior angelmanifesting truths which it grasps perfectly to inferior angelswhose grasp is less perfect. It agrees with the nature ofintellectual creatures to move or effect others of their kind inthis fashion of one teaching and others being taught.
2. Thus, by affording enlightenment, one angel may moveanother angel's intellect. But one angel cannot changeanother's will. Only God can effect such a change.
3. An inferior angel cannot enlighten a superior angel anymore than a candle can bring illumination to the sun. Among humanbeings, who learn by degrees, because their knowing is bound upwith material things, it can happen that one who knows much may beenlightened by one who knows little. This cannot be so among purespirits who do not achieve knowledge ploddingly and piecemeal ashuman beings do.
4. The higher an angel is, the more it participates thedivine goodness; consequently, the more it tends to impart itsgifts to lesser angels. The superior angel tends to give all thatit knows to inferior angels, but these cannot perfectly receive allthat is given. Hence the superior angels remain superior eventhough they impart all their knowledge. Somewhat similarly, thehuman teacher who does all he can to impart his own completeknowledge to his young pupils, remains superior in knowledge evenafter he has taught the lesson; for the pupils take in by a lessercapacity than that of the giver.
"Every man naturally desires knowledge; but what good is knowledge without fear of God? Indeed a humble rustic who serves God is better than a proud intellectual who neglects his soul to study the course of the stars."
Thomas á Kempis
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"God commands not impossibilities, but by commanding he suggests to you to do what you can, to ask for what is beyond your strength; and he helps you, that you may be able."
St Augustine
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"If you wish to learn and appreciate something worth while, then love to be unknown and considered as nothing. Truly to know and despise self is the best and most perfect counsel."
Thomas á Kempis
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