The soul has three powers:
the intelligence,
the incensive power
and desire.
With our intelligence we direct our search; with our desire we long for that supernal goodness which is the object of our search; and with our incensive power we fight to attain our object.
With these powers these, who love God, cleave to the divine principle of virtue and spiritual knowledge.
Searching with the first power, desiring with the second, and fighting by means of the third, they receive incorruptible nourishment, enriching the intellect with the spiritual knowledge of created beings.
the intelligence,
the incensive power
and desire.
With our intelligence we direct our search; with our desire we long for that supernal goodness which is the object of our search; and with our incensive power we fight to attain our object.
With these powers these, who love God, cleave to the divine principle of virtue and spiritual knowledge.
Searching with the first power, desiring with the second, and fighting by means of the third, they receive incorruptible nourishment, enriching the intellect with the spiritual knowledge of created beings.
St Maximos the Confessor