Chapter 194 — On other defects that followed in intellect and will

Many other defects also began to appear in man as a consequence. Inordinate stirrings of the lower appetite abounded, while at the same time the light of wisdom, which supernaturally illuminated man as long as his will was submissive to God, grew dim in his intellect. As a result, man subjected his affections to sensible things. Immersed in these, he wandered far from God and fell into repeated sins. Furthermore, he subjected himself to unclean spirits who he thought would help him to acquire such things. Through this process, idolatry and various kinds of sins arose in the human race. The more man was corrupted by these things, the farther he withdrew from the knowledge and desire of spiritual and divine goods.