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"Know that there are two kinds of knowledge: the knowledge of the essence of a thing (its 'reality'?), and the knowledge of its qualities. The essence of a thing is known through its qualities, otherwise it is unknown and hidden... Our knowledge of things, even of created and limited things, is knowledge of their qualities and not of their essence... The substance of the essence of man is unknown and not evident, but by its qualities it is characterized and known... then... as things can only be known by their qualities and not by their essence, it is certain that the Divine Reality is unknown with regard to its essence, and is known with regard to its attributes. Besides, how can the phenomenal reality embrace the Pre- existent Reality? For comprehension is the result of encompassing... and the Essence of the Unity surrounds all, and is not surrounded." (Bwf 321- 2)
(3:1)
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