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
But because this hypothesis commences from that which is _one being_,
or _being characterized by the one_, and establishes the summit of
intelligibles as the first after _the one_, but ends in an essence
which participates of time, and deduces divine souls to the extremities
of the divine orders, it is necessary that the third hypothesis should
demonstrate by various conclusions, the whole multitude of partial
souls, and the diversities which they contain. And thus far the
separate and incorporeal hypostasis proceeds.
After this follows that nature which is divisible about bodies,
and inseparable from matter, which the fourth hypothesis delivers
supernally suspended from the Gods. And the last hypothesis is the
procession of matter, whether considered as one, or as various,
which the fifth hypothesis demonstrates by negations, according to
its dissimilar similitude[104] to the first. But sometimes, indeed,
the negations are privations, and sometimes the exempt causes of all
the productions. And what is the most wonderful of all, the highest
negations are only enunciative, but some in a supereminent manner, and
others according to deficiency. But each of the negations consequent
to these is affirmative; the one paradigmatically, but the other
iconically, or after the manner of an image. But the middle corresponds
to the order of soul, for it is composed from affirmative and negative
conclusions. But it possesses negations coordinate to affirmations.
Nor is it alone multiplied, like material natures,[105] nor does it
possess an adventitious one; but _the one_ which it contains,
though it is still one, yet subsists in motion and multiplication, and
in its progressions is, as it were, absorbed by essence. And such are
the hypotheses which unfold all beings, both separable and inseparable,
together with the causes of wholes, as well exempt, as subsisting in
things themselves, according to the hyparxis of _the one_.