The philosophical and mathematical commentaries of Proclus on the first book of Euclid's elements (Vol. 1 of 2) : $b To which are added, A history of the restoration of Platonic theology, by the latter Platonists: And a translation from the Greek of Proclus's Theological elementsProclus
Philosophy
The philosophical and mathematical commentaries of Proclus on the first book of Euclid's elements (Vol. 1 of 2) : $b To which are added, A history of the restoration of Platonic theology, by the latter Platonists: And a translation from the Greek of Proclus's Theological elements
Proclus
Euclid. Elements; Platonists
Indeed, if I were willing to pursue every particular in like manner,
and to relate his familiarity with the Hermetic Pan, together with
the great benevolence and manifold assistance which that divinity
condescended to afford Proclus at Athens, and of that perfectly
singular kind of felicity which he obtained from the mother of the
gods, and in which he was accustomed especially to triumph and rejoice;
I should perhaps seem to many readers, to be rash in my assertions,
and to others, the author of things perfectly incredible. For many and
great were the daily instances of this goddess’s benevolence towards
him, in words and actions, which are both innumerable and unheard
of, and concerning which, I do not at present retain an accurate
remembrance. But if any one is desirous of knowing how great he was in
these, he must evolve his book concerning the mother of the gods, from
which he will understand, that it was not without divine assistance
he produced all the theology of that goddess into light; as likewise,
whatever is acted or affirmed concerning the same in the fables of
Athis, which he has explained after a philosophical manner, that
vulgar ears might afterwards cease to be disturbed, on perceiving the
lamentations and other obscure ceremonies with which her mysteries are
celebrated.
After having, therefore, run through the theurgic virtue of Proclus,
and its energies, and the happy circumstances which befell him,
respecting its operations, and having shewn, that he did not less excel
in every kind of virtue, and that he was a man such as mortals have
not beheld for a long period of time, it remains that we now bring our
discourse concerning him to a conclusion: for we are not now at the
beginning of our narration, nor does the half of the whole remain to
us, according to the proverb, but the whole itself is now perfect and
complete. Since having begun from the felicity of the philosopher,
and proceeded in its exemplification, our discourse now returns to
it again. For we have explained the great goods, and providential
exertions, which were granted to this most excellent man from the
gods, and have shewn their prompt attention to his prayers, the divine
visions which he enjoyed, and the help and solicitude which the gods
testified towards him. We have likewise explained his prosperous fate,
and propitious fortune, his country, parents, the good habit of his
body, his masters, friends, and other external advantages; each of
which we have shewn to have been far greater and more splendid in
him than in other men; and have likewise diligently enumerated such
things as cannot be reckoned amongst outward allurements, but entirely
depended on his will, such as are the upright and illustrious deeds of
his soul, according to universal virtue. And thus we have summarily
demonstrated that his soul arrived in reality at the summit of the most
consummate virtue, and was happily established in a perfect life, by
human and divine goods of every kind.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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