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
Proclus
Neoplatonism -- Early works to 1800; Plato -- Early works to 1800; Theology -- Early works to 1800
Plato, however, proceeds to another principle entirely exempt from
intellect, more incorporeal and ineffable, and from which all things,
even though you should speak of such as are last, have necessarily a
subsistence. For all things are not naturally disposed to participate
of soul, but such things only as are allotted in themselves a more
clear or obscure life. Nor are all things able to enjoy intellect
and being, but such only as subsist according to form. But it is
necessary that the principle of all things should be participated by
all things, if it does not desert any thing, since it is the cause
of all things which in any respect are said to have a subsistence.
Plato having divinely discovered this first principle of wholes, which
is more excellent than intellect, and is concealed in inaccessible
recesses; and having exhibited these three causes and monads, and
evinced them to be above bodies, I mean soul, the first intellect,
and a union above intellect, produces from these as monads, their
proper numbers; one multitude indeed being uniform,[87] but the second
intellectual, and the third psychical. For every monad is the leader
of a multitude coordinate to itself. But as Plato connects bodies
with souls, so likewise he connects souls with intellectual forms, and
these again with the unities of beings. But he converts all things
to one imparticipable unity. And having run back as far as to this
unity, he considers himself as having obtained the highest end of the
theory of wholes; and that this is the truth respecting the Gods,
which is conversant with the unities of beings, and which delivers
their progressions and peculiarities, the contact of beings with them,
and the orders of forms which are suspended from these unical[88]
hypostases.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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