Bonaventure

In his own words on Daniel

• Daniel 1:17

  Of Daniel and his companions, who were continent, it is said that "God gave them knowledge and discipline in every book and wisdom." Delight concerning touch assails the gift of understanding most greatly: drunkenness from the anterior part and lust from the posterior part.

  Collationes de Septem Donis, Collation 8

• Daniel 1:17

  The third key is the understanding of the Inspired Word by whom all things are revealed; for there is no revelation except through this Inspired Word. Daniel understood the words: understanding is needed in the case of a vision. For unless the word resound in the ear of the heart, the splendor shine in the eye, the vapor and emanation of the Almighty be perceived as smell and His sweetness as taste, and unless eternity fill the soul, man is not fit to understand visions. "God gave to Daniel the understanding of all visions and dreams." By what means? Through the Inspired Word.

  Collations on the Hexaemeron, Collation 3

• Daniel 2:21

  "He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who understand learning." However much a man may have a good natural judgment and along with this frequency of experience, they do not suffice unless there be illumination through divine influence. He touches upon sapiential, sciential, and intellectual certitude. But whence comes this certitude? Certainly from God.

  Collationes de Septem Donis, Collation 8

• Daniel 2:22

  "He reveals deep and hidden things and knows what is established in darkness: and the light is with him." He touches upon sapiential certitude when he says: "He reveals deep things." This light is pure and is with him: no one is illumined with certitude except through him. And Augustine in the fourteenth book of On the Trinity asks whence it comes that the impious sometimes judges well; whence he asks: "Where are those laws of justice written, according to which the impious judges well?" And he responds that "they are written in the book of eternal light, and they descend into the soul not by migrating but by impressing themselves, just as the image of a ring, which is impressed upon wax, does not leave the ring."

  Collationes de Septem Donis, Collation 8

• Daniel 8:15

  "Now it came to pass, when I, Daniel, saw the vision and sought understanding: behold, there stood before me as it were the appearance of a man; and he cried out and said: Gabriel, make this one understand the vision." This illumination is aided through the Angels. These visions descended from the Father of lights, and the Angel aids the intellect of Daniel, so that he might grasp the light of God and through it understand. It is true that man is instructed ministerially and supportively through an Angel, as was evident in Daniel: but effectively God alone has power over the rational soul itself, because it is immediately formed by God. The Angel illumines in the way that one who opens a window is said to illuminate a house.

  Collationes de Septem Donis, Collation 8

• Daniel 8:16

  "Now it came to pass, when I, Daniel, saw the vision and sought understanding: behold, there stood before me as it were the appearance of a man; and he cried out and said: Gabriel, make this one understand the vision." This illumination is aided through the Angels. These visions descended from the Father of lights, and the Angel aids the intellect of Daniel, so that he might grasp the light of God and through it understand. It is true that man is instructed ministerially and supportively through an Angel, as was evident in Daniel: but effectively God alone has power over the rational soul itself, because it is immediately formed by God. The Angel illumines in the way that one who opens a window is said to illuminate a house.

  Collationes de Septem Donis, Collation 8

• Daniel 9:23

  For no one is in any way disposed to divine contemplations, which lead to mental transports, unless with Daniel he be a man of desires. But desires are inflamed in us in a twofold manner, namely through the cry of prayer, which makes one roar from the groaning of the heart, and through the brilliance of speculation, by which the mind turns itself most directly and most intensely toward the rays of light.

  Itinerarium Mentis in Deum, Prologue

• Daniel 9:26

  The full accord of the witnesses is found in the words of Scriptures. Isaiah says: The virgin shall be with child; and Luke: Thou shalt conceive. One says: Christ shall be slain; and the Evangelist: Put Him to death. Whatever, then, had been foretold by the prophets was fulfilled through Christ.

  Collations on the Hexaemeron, Collation 9

• Daniel 11:38

  In the fourth mystery, that is, the giving of the law, the Antichrist is symbolized by Balaam, who offered the worst advice, was an idolater, and although he said many good things, yet raised pagan altars and consulted auguries. And in this it is shown that he was the worst idolator and worshiper of evil spirits. "Instead, he shall give glory to the god of strongholds."

  Collations on the Hexaemeron, Collation 15

• Daniel 12:3

  The solidity of faith is also called heaven, because it makes understanding lofty through investigation, stable when it establishes the truth, and visible when it fills it with a manifold light. Hence in Daniel: "The wise shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament." But no one is wise unless he is taught by God, for "No one comes to the Father but through Me," says the Saviour. No one is taught in matters of faith except through God.

  Collations on the Hexaemeron, Collation 8

• Daniel 12:4

  There follows a reference to seeds and fruits. "The earth brought forth vegetation, every kind of seed-bearing plant." As in the gathering of the waters, there was a symbol of the many forms of intelligent beings, and in the germination of the earth, a symbol of the multiplicity of sacramental images, so also in the seeds is shown a kind of infinity in the heavenly theories that are pointed to by these same seeds. For the principal intelligences and figures exist in certain determined numbers, while the theories are almost infinite. For as the reflection of light-rays and images from a mirror comes about in almost infinite ways, so it is from the mirror of Scriptures. Who can know how many are the intermediate angles between the right and the obtuse, between the obtuse and the acute? Hence, as in the seeds there is multiplication to infinity, so also are the theories multiplied. Wherefore in Daniel: "Many shall pass over, and knowledge shall be manifold," for one man and another look differently into the mirror.

  Collations on the Hexaemeron, Collation 15

• Daniel 12:4

  Sacred Scripture is compared to the water of the sea on account of the manifold variety of its senses. In the sea there are diverse springs: so in sacred Scripture within a single letter there is a manifold meaning. Hence in Daniel: "But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book until the appointed time: many shall pass through, and knowledge shall be manifold." Some wonder that in the same Scripture we have so many meanings. Anselm says that in the same earth diverse things can be planted: the earth by divine power produces various sproutings; so by the Holy Spirit within the same letter there are various meanings. Nor is it unfitting to use equivocally what is posited as multiply equivocal. In theology both things and words signify. Therefore, when there are many properties of a thing, then through one thing many things are signified. As many as are the properties of the sun, so many, when the sun signifies the just man, are the properties of the just man.

  Collationes de Septem Donis, Collation 4

• Daniel 12:10

  Piety is profitable for knowing truths. God gives His gifts upon every creature: but the knowledge of truth He gives only to those who act piously. It is said in Daniel: "Moreover the impious shall act impiously": revelation shall be closed to the impious. If you wish to be true scholars, it is necessary that you have piety.

  Collationes de Septem Donis, Collation 3