Sri Ramakrishna

 "There are two interpretations of the scriptures: the literal and the real. One should accept the real meaning alone - what agrees with the words of God.

There is a vast difference between the words written in a letter and the direct words of its writer.

The scriptures are like the words of the letter; the words of God are direct words. I do not accept anything unless it agrees with the direct words of the Divine Mother."