Ocellus Lucanus on the nature of the universe : $b Taurus, the Platonic philosopher, on the eternity of the world. Julius Firmicus Maternus of the thema mundi. Select theorems on the perpetuity of time, by Proclus. — Plato — John Shaqi
Ocellus Lucanus on the nature of the universe : $b Taurus, the Platonic philosopher, on the eternity of the world. Julius Firmicus Maternus of the thema mundi. Select theorems on the perpetuity of time, by Proclus.
Plato · en
In the next place, the co-ordination itself of man should be considered
with reference to the whole, viz. that he is a part of a house and a
city, and (which is the greatest thing of all) that each of the progeny
of the human species ought to give completion to the world[19], if it
does not intend to be a deserter either of the domestic, or political,
or divine Vestal hearth.
For those who are not entirely connected with each other for the sake of
begetting children, injure the most honourable system of convention. But
if persons of this description procreate with libidinous insolence and
intemperance, their offspring will be miserable and flagitious, and will
be execrated by gods and demons, and by men, and families, and cities.
Those, therefore, who deliberately consider these things, ought not, in a
way similar to irrational animals, to engage in venereal connections, but
should think copulation to be a necessary good. For it is the opinion of
worthy men, that it is necessary and beautiful, not only to fill houses
with large families, and also the greater part of the earth[20], (for man
is the most mild and the best of all animals,) but, as a thing of the
greatest consequence, to cause them to abound with the most excellent
men.
For on this account men inhabit cities governed by the best laws, rightly
manage their domestic affairs, and [if they are able] impart to their
friends such political employments as are conformable to the polities in
which they live, since they not only provide for the multitude at large,
but [especially] for worthy men.
Hence, many err, who enter into the connubial state without regarding
the magnitude of [the power of] fortune, or public utility, but direct
their attention to wealth, or dignity of birth. For in consequence of
this, instead of uniting with females who are young and in the flower of
their age, they become connected with extremely old women; and instead of
having wives with a disposition according with, and most similar to their
own, they marry those who are of an illustrious family, or are extremely
rich. On this account, they procure for themselves discord instead of
concord; and instead of unanimity, dissention; contending with each
other for the mastery. For the wife who surpasses her husband in wealth,
in birth, and in friends, is desirous of ruling over him, contrary to
the law of nature. But the husband justly resisting this desire of
superiority in his wife, and wishing not to be the second, but the first
in domestic sway, is unable, in the management of his family, to take the
lead.
This being the case, it happens that not only families, but cities,
become miserable. For families are parts of cities, but the composition
of the whole and the universe derives its subsistence from parts[21].
It is reasonable, therefore, to admit, that such as are the parts, such
likewise will be the whole and the all which consists of things of this
kind.