20. In how many ways is God indicated from comparison to creatures?

D. In how many ways is God indicated from comparison to creatures? M. In two, by acknowledgment and by negation. By acknowledgment, on the one hand, when those things are said about God which in the same way do not suit any creature, e.g., Simple, and Ancient of days, and Spirit before all things, i.e., uncircumscribed, and the First and the Last, and the like. For all these things are said about God, therefore, because they do not suit any creature in comparison with him. Through negation, on the other hand, comparison is made when, by means of privative prefixing, those things are denied in God which are in a creature, e.g., Unbegotten, Incorporeal, Uncreated, Immortal, Incorruptible, Incapable of passion, and the like.

[2] D. What then? are these words never said about a creature? M. Indeed they are said, but not in the same respect. For when a human being is called simple, it is not because he is not compounded (for it is characteristic of God alone to be simple essence), but a human being is called simple because he does not employ the double-dealing of deceit. So, too, when something is called invisible, it is not because it cannot be seen by anyone insofar as it exists (for this is characteristic of God alone), but because it escapes the notice of others. Similarly, too, the rest.

[3] D. Which comparative things are there that are so said about God that they cannot be said about a creature? M. The things which in him are perfect and unique, such as Unbegotten, Sempiternal, Without beginning, and the like.