18. What, then, some one will say,
does the Deity not hear? does He not speak? does He not see what is put
before Him? has He not sight? He may in His own, but not in our
way. But in so great a matter we cannot know the truth at all, or
reach it by speculations; for these are, it is clear, in our case,
baseless, deceitful, and like vain dreams. For if we said that He
sees in the same way as ourselves, it follows that it should be
understood that He has 469eyelids placed as coverings on the pupils
of the eyes, that He closes them, winks, sees by rays or images, or, as
is the case in all eyes, can see nothing at all without the presence of
other light. So we must in like manner say of hearing, and form
of speech, and utterance of words. If He hears by means of ears,
these, too, we must say, He has, penetrated by winding paths,
through which the sound may steal, bearing the meaning of the
discourse; or if His words are poured forth from a mouth, that He has
lips and teeth, by the contact and various movement of which His tongue
utters sounds distinctly.