Paraphrased: Among the degrees of the universal Manifestation, each sentient creature typically experiences an illusory sense of autonomy. At the same time, with or without the creature's awareness, the creature subsists eternally as an "immutable prototype" in the divine Knowledge.

By reason of his elegance, he resembles an image painted in a palace, though he is as majestic as the palace itself.

Fear that man who fears not God.

Some men, like spaniels, will only fawn the more when repulsed, but will pay little heed to a friendly caress.

It is with a word as with an arrow--once let it loose and it does not return.

The other world is as to this like the east to the west. We cannot approach the one without turning away from the other.

But, in conformity to His wisdom it was right that afterwards the Prophet should be sent back from the vision of pure Unity and that he should return . . . toward the separative vision. For, He created man and jinn only that they should worship Him and know Him - and, if they remained at the degree of pure Unity, there would be none to worship Him. In this separative vision, the Worshipped and the worshipper, the Lord and the servant, the Creator and the creature are again perceived.