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 — John Shaqi
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 imitates _the one_, but that immoveably gives subsistence to
things posterior to itself, every thing which produces will possess in
a similar manner the cause of productive energy. But _the one_ gives
subsistence to things immoveably. For if through motion, the motion
will be in it, and being moved, it will no longer be _the one_, in
consequence of being changed from _the one_. But if motion subsists
together with it, it will also be from _the one_, and either there will
be a progression to infinity, or _the one_ will produce immoveably;
and every thing which produces will imitate the producing cause of
all things. For every where, from that which is primarily, that which
is not primarily derives its subsistence; so that the nature which is
productive of certain things originates from that which is productive
of all things. Hence every producing cause produces subsequent
natures from itself. And while productive natures abide in themselves
undiminished, secondary natures are produced from them. For that which
is in any respect diminished, cannot abide such as it is.
PROPOSITION XXVII.
Every producing cause, on account of its perfection, and abundance of
power, is productive of secondary natures.
* * * * *
For if it produced not on account of the perfect, but through a
defect according to power, it would not be able to preserve its own
order immoveable. For that which imparts existence to another thing
through defect and imbecility, imparts subsistence to it, through its
own mutation and change in quality. But every thing which produces
remains such as it is, and in consequence of thus remaining, that
which is posterior to it[224] proceeds into existence. Hence, being
full and perfect, it gives subsistence to secondary natures immoveably
and without diminution, it being that which it is, and neither being
changed into them, nor diminished. For that which is produced, is not a
distribution into parts of the producing cause; since this is neither
appropriate to the generating energy, nor to generating causes. Nor
is it a transition. For it does not become the matter of that which
proceeds; since it remains such as it is, and that which is produced
is different from it. Hence that which generates is firmly established
undiminished; through prolific power multiplies itself; and from itself
imparts secondary hypostases.
PROPOSITION XXVIII.
Every producing cause gives subsistence to things similar to itself,
prior to such as are dissimilar.
* * * * *