 Hildegard frequently referred to herself as an unlearned woman, completely incapable of Biblical exegesis.Such a statement on her part, however, worked to her advantage because it made her statements that all of her writings and music came from visions of the Divine more believable, therefore giving Hildegard the authority to speak in a time and place where few women were permitted a voice.Hildegard used her voice to amplify the Church's condemnation of institutional corruption, in particular simony.