The six books of Proclus, the Platonic successor, on the theology of Plato (vol. 2 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 p
Plato · en
When Plato, likewise, says that the demiurgus fabricated the body of
the world smooth and equable, this manifests the one comprehension
in the world, and its supreme aptitude to the participation of a
divine soul. But the words, “every way from the middle equal,”
exhibit the peculiarity of a spherical figure; for this is every way
equally distant according to all intervals. And the words “whole and
perfect from the composition of perfect bodies,” give to the world
a consummate similitude to all-perfect animal; for that was in all
things perfect; and also to the demiurgus himself. For as he is the
father of fathers, and the supreme of rulers, so the world is the most
perfect of perfect natures, and the most total of wholes. You may also
say, that Plato calls the world smooth, as not being in want of any
motive, or nutritive, or sensitive organs; for this had just before
been demonstrated by him. But that it is every way equal from the
middle, as having a spherical figure. And that it is whole and perfect,
as being all-perfect, and leaving nothing external to itself; for
this is properly a whole and perfect. It likewise consists of perfect
bodies, as being composed of the four elements. But Plato calls it in
the singular number a body, as being only-begotten. And thus beginning
from the only-begotten, and proceeding as far as to perfection, he
again returns to it through the above-mentioned words, imitating the
progression of the world from its paradigm, and its perfect conversion
to it.
CHAPTER XLIX.