Derekh Hashem, Part Three, On the Prophetic Experience

[Inexact] use of the title, prophet: You should also know that the true and exact title, prophet, is surely only fitting for one who has already achieved clear prophecy, and to whom it is clear that he is prophesying from [God], may He be blessed, as we wrote earlier. And with one who has reached this, he has no doubt at all about his prophecy and no error will be found in his prophecy. However by way of extension, this title is also given to one who begins with prophetic experiences and attains revelations that are beyond what is [naturally] human. Yet one who has only reached these achievements is not yet sure of his content. So it is possible that he will fail, like the matter of Ahab's prophets which we will explain further with God's help. Still, those who clearly know the ways of prophecy know all of this well [and] know all of these stumbling blocks that may occur. [They] know their signs and the way to avoid them, until they reach true prophecy. And they would teach the students - as we wrote above - save them from mistakes and [help] them arrive at the truth.