And if you reflect on revelation, you will find that, while it has offered the general public illustrations of these meanings—without which they could not conceive them—it has also drawn scholars’ attention to the very meanings illustrated for the public. One must therefore observe the limits set by revelation in the manner of teaching it has assigned to each class of people, lest the two forms of teaching become confused and the wisdom of prophetic revelation be undermined.

For this reason, he said, peace be upon him: “We prophets have been commanded to accord people their proper standing and to address them according to their understanding.” Whoever places all people on the same footing in