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Objection 1: It would seem that all the angels know what one speaks
to another. For unequal local distance is the reason why all men do
not know what one man says to another. But in the angelic speech local
distance has no effect, as above explained (Article 4). Therefore
all the angels know what one speaks to another.
Objection 2: Further, all the angels have the intellectual power in
common. So if the mental concept of one ordered to another is known by
one, it is for the same reason known by all.
Objection 3: Further, enlightenment is a kind of speech. But the
enlightenment of one angel by another extends to all the angels,
because, as Dionysius says (Coel. Hier. xv): "Each one of the
heavenly beings communicates what he learns to the others." Therefore
the speech of one angel to another extends to all.
On the contrary, One man can speak to another alone; much more can
this be the case among the angels.
I answer that, As above explained (Articles 1,2), the mental
concept of one angel can be perceived by another when the angel who
possesses the concept refers it by his will to another. Now a thing
can be ordered through some cause to one thing and not to another;
consequently the concept of one (angel) may be known by one and not by
another; and therefore an angel can perceive the speech of one angel to
another; whereas others do not, not through the obstacle of local
distance, but on account of the will so ordering, as explained above.
From this appear the replies to the first and second objections.
Reply to Objection 3: Enlightenment is of those truths that emanate
from the first rule of truth, which is the principle common to all the
angels; and in that way all enlightenments are common to all. But
speech may be of something ordered to the principle of the created
will, which is proper to each angel; and in this way it is not
necessary that these speeches should be common to all.
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