things that would harm him, and the desire of someone intensely hungry or thirsty to partake of whatever food or drink is available to him.

Other desires arise gradually, such as a person’s desire for what would make him more complete and be better for him; such a desire may develop little by little.

The same applies to his desire for something he is unsure he needs or that will benefit him. Desire may grow stronger as knowledge grows stronger, and weaker as knowledge grows weaker. Its strength may also vary with the strength or weakness of the love itself for the desired thing.

Whoever understands the true nature of the matter will see that souls possess innate desires and innate knowledge. Yet many who engage in speculative discussions of knowledge may suppose that these are absent and strive to acquire them. Acquiring what one already possesses is impossible, so they must suppose that what is present is absent and then strive to bring it into being. This is where many who delve into speculative theology and jurisprudence go wrong.

Knowledge and desire may already be actual, or potentially present and close to actualization, despite a measure of distraction and heedlessness. With the slightest recollection, the soul returns to the knowledge and desire within it, or turns toward the object sought, thereby coming to know and love it.