Chapter 24.—The Character of the Expressions Used is Above All to Have Weight.

34.  The chief thing to be inquired into, therefore, in regard to any expression that we are trying to understand is, whether it is literal or figurative.  For when it is ascertained to be figurative, it is easy, by an application of the laws of things which we discussed in the first book, to turn it in every way until we arrive at a true interpretation, especially when we bring to our aid experience strengthened by the exercise of piety.  Now we find out whether an expression is literal or figurative by attending to the considerations indicated above.

CAPUT XXIV. Ante omnia considerandum genus locutionis.

34. Maxime itaque investigandum est utrum propria sit, an figurata locutio, quam intelligere conamur. Nam comperto quod figurata sit, adhibitis regulis rerum quas in primo libro digessimus, facile est eam versare omnibus modis, donec perveniamus ad sententiam veritatis, praesertim cum usus accesserit pietatis exercitatione roboratus. Invenimus autem utrum propria sit, an figurata locutio, illa intuentes quae supra dicta sunt.