Miscellanies 6.17.150

The one who merely imitates, then, falsifies opinion and preconception. But when someone, taking a spark of the matter, kindles it within his soul by longing and learning, he sets everything in motion on this basis toward full knowledge. For what one does not grasp one neither longs for nor embraces the benefit that comes from it. Last of all, then, the one who knows, at the end of his right actions, imitates the Lord as far as is attainable by human beings, having taken on a certain lordly quality for likeness to God. But those who do not understand knowledge cannot measure truth by its rule either. It is not possible, then, to share in the contemplations of knowledge unless we empty ourselves of our former notions. For “truth” is said, simply and in general, of everything intelligible and sensible. For instance, one can observe truth in painting as distinct from the vulgar kind, and dignity in music as distinct from the licentious kind. There is also, then, a certain truth of philosophy as distinct from the other philosophers, and a true beauty as distinct from the counterfeit. We must, then, never busy ourselves with the partial truths, of which truth is predicated, but with truth itself, not seeking to learn names. For the matter concerning God is not one but countless; and seeking God is different from seeking the things concerning God. And, to speak generally, in each thing the accidents must be distinguished from the essence.