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111. The Actions of Angels on Men

1. Since angels are superior to man, they can enlightenman. They can strengthen the understanding of human beings and makemen aware, in some sensible manner, of the truths to be imparted.Thus angels can act upon the human intellect.

2. But angels cannot act directly upon the human will; Godalone can do this.

3. Nevertheless, angels, good or bad, can exercise anindirect influence on human wills by stirring up images inthe human imagination. And angels, good or bad, can, by theirnatural power, arouse sentient appetites and passions in the sameway, that is, by producing images in the human imagination.

4. Equally, an angel can work upon the human senses,either outwardly, as, for example, by assuming some visible form,or inwardly, by disturbing the sense-functions themselves, as, forexample, making a man see what is not really there.

"Shun too great a desire for knowledge, for in it there is much fretting and delusion. Intellectuals like to appear learned and to be called wise. Yet there are many things the knowledge of which does little or no good to the soul, and he who concerns himself about other things than those which lead to salvation is very unwise. "
Thomas á Kempis

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"God looks neither at long nor beautiful prayers, but at those that come from the heart."
The Cure D'Ars

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"This is the greatest wisdom -- to seek the kingdom of heaven through contempt of the world. "
Thomas á Kempis

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