say that all the world is
under a delusion; for, although the opinions of the people are sound, they
are not so as conceived by them, since they think the truth to be where it
is not. Truth is indeed in their opinions, but not at the point where they
imagine it. Thus it is true that we must honour noblemen, but not because
noble birth is real superiority, etc.

336. The reason of effects.--We must keep our thought secret, and judge
everything by it, while talking like the people.

337. The reason of effects. Degrees. The people honour persons of high
birth. The semi-learned despise them, saying that birth is not a personal,
but a chance superiority. The learned honour them, not for popular reasons,
but for secret reasons. Devout persons, who have more zeal than knowledge,
despise them, in spite of that consideration which makes them honoured by
the learned, because they judge them by a new light which piety gives them.
But perfect Christians honour them by another and higher light. So arise a
succession of opinions for and against, according to the light one has.

338. True Christians, nevertheless, comply with folly, not because they
respect folly, but the command of God, who for the punishment of men has
made them subject to these follies. Omnis creatura subjecta est vanitati.45
Liberabitur.46 Thus Saint Thomas explains the passage in Saint James on
giving

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