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 proceeds from itself, it will also make a conversion to
itself. For to that from which progression is derived, to that a
conversion co-ordinate to the progression is directed. For if it alone
proceeded from itself, but having proceeded was not converted to
itself, it would never aspire after its proper good, and that which
it is able to impart to itself. Every cause however is able to impart
to that which proceeds from it,[228] together with the essence which
it gives, well-being conjoined with this essence. Hence that which
is self-subsistent will impart this to itself. This therefore is the
proper good to that which is self-subsistent. And hence this will not
be the object of desire to that which is not[229] converted to itself.
But not desiring this, it will not obtain it, and not obtaining it,
it will be imperfect, and not sufficient to itself. If, however,
self-sufficiency and perfection pertain to any thing, they must pertain
to that which is self-subsistent. Hence it will obtain its proper good,
and will be converted to itself.
PROPOSITION XLIII.
Every thing which is convertive to itself is self-subsistent.
* * * * *
For if it is converted to itself according to nature, it is perfect in
the conversion to itself, and will possess essence from itself. For to
every thing, essential progression is from that to which conversion
according to nature is directed. If therefore, it imparts well-being to
itself, it will likewise undoubtedly impart being to itself, and will
be the lord of its own hypostasis. Hence, that which is able to revert
to itself is self-subsistent.
PROPOSITION XLIV.
Every thing which is convertive to itself according to energy, is also
converted to itself essentially.
* * * * *
For if it is capable of being converted to itself in energy, but is
without conversion in its essence, it will be more excellent according
to energy than according to essence, the former being convertive,
but the latter without conversion. For that which depends on itself,
is better than that which alone depends on another. And that which
has a power of preserving itself, is more perfect than that which is
alone preserved by another. If therefore, it is convertive to itself
according to the energy proceeding from essence,[230] it will also
be allotted a convertive essence, so that it will not alone energize
towards itself, but will depend on itself, and will be contained,
connected, and perfected by itself.
PROPOSITION XLV.
Every thing self-subsistent is unbegotten.
* * * * *