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
For, if it be possible, let there be two things which thus subsist;
since there will be the same impossibility if there are more than two;
or let that which subsists primarily consist of both these. But if
indeed it consists of both, it will again be one, and there will not be
two things that are first. And if it be one of the two, each will not
be first. Nor if both are equally primary, will each have a principal
subsistence. For if one of them is primary, but this is not the same
with the other, what will it be in that order? For that subsists
primarily, which is nothing else than that which it is said to be. But
each of these being different is, and at the same time is not that
which it is said to be.
If, therefore, these differ from each other, but they do not primarily
differ so far as they are that which they are said to be; for this
primarily suffers that which is the same; both will not be first, but
that of which both participating, are said to subsist primarily.
COROLLARY.
From these things it is evident, that what is primarily being is one
alone, and that there are not two primary beings, or more than two;
that the first intellect is one alone, and that there are not two first
intellects; and that the first soul is one. This is also the case with
every form, such as the primarily beautiful, and the primarily equal.
And in a similar manner in all things. Thus also, with respect to the
form of animal, and the form of man, the first of each is one; for the
demonstration is the same.
PROPOSITION XXIII.
_Concerning the Imparticipable._[220]
Every imparticipable gives subsistence from itself to things which
are participated. And all participated hypostases are extended to
imparticipable hyparxes.
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