Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Job 12:3

Western Saints

Gregory the Dialogist

But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Yea, who knoweth not such things as these that ye know? For who is ignorant how greatly the practice and the knowledge of blessed Job excels the knowledge that his friends have? Now in order to correct their pride, he asserts that he is 'not inferior' to them, and lest he should transgress the limits of his own humility, he keeps to himself that he is superior to them; not by setting himself above, but by equalling himself to them, he points out what they should learn …

Morals on the Book of Job, Book X ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Since they could object, 'We are not the only ones who know, but even so, you still do not know,' he answers saying, "I too have a heart," to know these things, "as do you, and this heart is not less than yours," in this knowledge. Lest this be ascribed to arrogance, he continues, "For who is ignorant of these things which you know?" as if to say: It is no great thing if I say I know what you know, since it is no great claim to know them, since every man can know them.

Commentary on Job ↗