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
Plato · en
CHAPTER XXIX.
The intelligible number therefore of the intellectual genera, proceeds
from these, and through these. And it possesses indeed properties
incomprehensible by human reasonings, but which are divided into two
first effective powers, viz. the power generative of wholes, and the
power which collects into union all progressions. For according to
the monad indeed, it collects intellectual multitude, and conjoins it
to intelligibles; but according to the duad it produces multitude,
and separates it according to difference. And according to the odd
number indeed, it collects the many orders into indivisible union; but
according to the even number, it prolifically produces into light all
the genera of the Gods. For being established as the middle of the
intelligible and intellectual Gods, and giving completion to the one
bond of them, it is carried in its summit indeed, in intellectuals
as in a vehicle, but being united to intelligibles, it evolves
intelligible multitude, and calls forth its occult and unical nature
into separation, and prolific generation. It also collects that which
is intellectual into union and impartible communion. And not this
only, but generating all things as far as to the last of things,
according to the incomprehensible cause of the duad and the nature of
the even number, it again unites the proceeding natures and convolves
them according to the monad, and the sameness of the odd number.
Through unity indeed, and the duad, it produces,[238] collects and
binds all things intelligibly, occultly, and in an unknown manner to
the intelligible, and effects this even in the last matter and the
vestigies of forms which it contains. But through the even and odd
number it constitutes the two coordinations, viz. the vivific and the
immutable, the prolific and the effective, all the impartible genera
of fabricating and animal-producing powers, those powers that preside
over a partible life, or partible production, the more intellectual and
singular mundane natures, and which belong to the better coordination,
and those natures that are more irrational and multiplied, and which
give completion to the subordinate series. And again, through this
divided generation we may see that each of the proceeding natures, is
united and at the same time multiplied, is indivisible and divided
in its causes, and through diminution is separated from them. And we
attribute indeed things that are more excellent and more simple to
the nature of the odd number, but things that are less excellent
and more various, to the nature of the even number. For every where
indeed, the odd number is the leader of impartible, simple, and unical
goods; but the even number is the cause of divided, various, and
generative progressions. And thus we may see all the orders of beings
woven together according to divine number which is most ancient,
intellectual, and exempt from all the dinumerated genera. For it