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The six books of Proclus, the Platonic successor, on the theology of Plato (vol. 1 of 2) : $b translated from the Greek, to which a seventh book is added, in order to supply the deficiency of another book on this subject, which was written by Proclus, but since lost, also, a translation from the Greek of Proclus' Elements of theology, to which are added a translation of the treatise of Proclus, On providence and fate, a translation of extracts from his treatise, entitled, Ten doubts concerning Proclus

Philosophy

The six books of Proclus, the Platonic successor, on the theology of Plato (vol. 1 of 2) : $b translated from the Greek, to which a seventh book is added, in order to supply the deficiency of another book on this subject, which was written by Proclus, but since lost, also, a translation from the Greek of Proclus' Elements of theology, to which are added a translation of the treatise of Proclus, On providence and fate, a translation of extracts from his treatise, entitled, Ten doubts concerning

Name: The six books of Proclus, the Platonic successor, on the theology of Plato (vol. 1 of 2) : $b translated from the Greek, to which a seventh book is added, in order to supply the deficiency of another book on this subject, which was written by Proclus, but since lost, also, a translation from the Greek of Proclus' Elements of theology, to which are added a translation of the treatise of Proclus, On providence and fate, a translation of extracts from his treatise, entitled, Ten doubts concerning
Author: Proclus

Proclus

Neoplatonism -- Early works to 1800; Plato -- Early works to 1800; Theology -- Early works to 1800

In translating the treatise of Proclus On Providence and Fate, I had
great difficulties to encounter, as the original Greek is lost, and
nothing but a Latin translation, which Fabricius observes, is _all
but barbarous_, remains. If the reader compares that translation
with mine, he will at once acknowledge the truth of my remark. Indeed,
_that_ translation is in some parts so barbarous, that nothing
but an intimate acquaintance with the writings of Proclus, and the
philosophy of Plato could enable any one to render them intelligible in
another language. The same observation is partially applicable to the
translation of the Extracts from two other treatises of Proclus.

The Greek text of Proclus abounds with errors, so that the emendations
which I have made, and the deficiencies which I have supplied in this
volume, amount to more than four hundred. And the Latin translation
of Portus is so very faulty, as to be almost beyond example bad.
Having discovered this to be the case, and having in so many places
corrected the original, I scarcely think that any of my critical
enemies will be hardy enough to say, that any part of this volume was
translated from the Latin, where the Greek could be obtained. As I am
conscious however, that in what is now offered to the public, I had no
other view than to benefit those who are capable of being benefited
by such sublime speculations; that wishing well to all mankind,
and particularly to my country, I have laboured to disseminate the
philosophy and theology of Plato, as highly favourable to the interests
of piety and good government, and most hostile to lawless conduct and
revolutionary principles; and that I have done my best to deserve the
esteem of the wise and worthy part of mankind, I am wholly unconcerned
as to the reception it may meet with from the malevolent, though I wish
for the approbation of the candid critics of the day. For in all my
labours I have invariably observed the following Pythagoric precept:
“Do those things which you judge to be beautiful, though in doing them
you should be without renown; for the rabble is a bad judge of a good
thing.”[65]




                               CONTENTS

                                  of

                        THE CHAPTERS OF BOOK I.


                              CHAPTER I.

    The Preface, in which the scope of the treatise is unfolded,
    together with the praise of Plato himself, and of those that
    received the philosophy from him.

                              CHAPTER II.

    What the mode of the discussion is in the present treatise, and
    what preparation of the auditors of it is previously necessary.

                             CHAPTER III.

    What a theologist is according to Plato, whence he begins, as far
    as to what hypostases he ascends, and according to what power of
    the soul he particularly energizes.

                              CHAPTER IV.

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