than that it is unbegotten. But how is it possible to suppose contraries in diagrams? For can it be supposed that a triangle is at one and the same time stationary and moved? Hence, the world is, according to itself, unbegotten. Nor should any one fatigue himself in endeavouring to prove from the Atlanticus and Politicus of Plato, that the world is generated. For we have shown after what manner the world is unbegotten, and how it is said by Plato to be generated. So far, therefore, as it is supposed to be generated, it will be incorruptible through the will of God; but so far as it is unbegotten, it will be incorruptible from its own nature. And this Plato knew. For everything else that is unbegotten, is incorruptible.” FOOTNOTES: [31] Timæus, in the Dialogue which bears his name, is represented by Plato as saying this; for, speaking of the world, he says γεγονεναι, _it was generated_. [32] See my Translation of the Commentaries of Proclus on the Timæus, vol. i. from p. 237 to p. 251. And also the Commentary of the same incomparable man on the words of Plato, in the same Dialogue, “But we say that whatever is generated, is necessarily generated by a certain cause.”—Vol. i. of my Translation, p. 249, &c. [33] viz. Whether the world is unbegotten, or generated. [34] The sentence in the original is: εθος δε Πλατωνι διδασκαλιας χαριν, ὡς γινομενα παραδιδοναι. But immediately after χαριν, it is obviously necessary to add αγενητα. Mahotius also, who published a Latin translation of this work of Philoponus, has, “Mos est autem Platoni, doctrinæ gratia, _quæ ortu carent_, perinde atque ea, quæ oriuntur, explicare.” MUNDI THEMA, OR THE GENITURE OF THE WORLD. TRANSLATED FROM THE THIRD BOOK OF THE MATHESIS OF JULIUS FIRMICUS MATERNUS.