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 it begins its energy upon secondary natures prior to that which is
posterior to it, and is present in conjunction with the presence of it.
When likewise that which is posterior to it no longer energizes, it is
still present, and that which is more causal continues to energize.
And this not only in different subjects, but likewise in each of the
natures that sometimes participate. Thus it is necessary, for instance,
that being should be first generated, afterwards animal, and afterwards
man. And man, indeed, is not, if the rational power is absent, but
there is still animal, breathing and sentient. And again, life failing,
being remains. For though a thing does not live, yet it has existence.
And there is a similar reasoning in all things.
The cause, however, of this is, that the more causal nature being more
efficacious, energizes on the thing caused[236] prior [to that which
is less causal]. For the thing caused participates first of that which
is more powerful. And that which is secondary again energizing, that
which is more powerful energizes with it. Because every thing which
the secondary nature produces, that which is more causal produces
likewise in conjunction with it. When the former also fails, the
latter is still present. For the communication of the more powerful
cause, operating in a greater degree, leaves that which participates
it, posterior to the energy of the less powerful cause. For through
the communication of the secondary nature, it corroborates its own
illumination.
PROPOSITION LXXI.
All things which among principal causes possess a more total and higher
order in their effects, according to the illuminations proceeding
from them, become in a certain respect subjects to the communications
of more partial causes. And the illuminations indeed, from higher
causes, receive the progressions from secondary causes; but the latter
are established in the former. And thus some participations precede
others, and some representations extend after others, beginning from
on high, to the same subject, more total causes having a prior energy,
but such as are more partial, supplying their participants with their
communications, posterior to the energies of more total causes.
* * * * *
For if more causal natures energize prior to such as are secondary on
account of exuberance of power, and are present with those that have
a more imperfect aptitude, and illuminate them also; but things more
subordinate, and which are second in order, are supplied from such as
are more causal,--it is evident that the illuminations of superior
natures antecedently comprehend that which participates of both these,
and give stability to the communications of things subordinate. But
these illuminations of superior causes, employ the resemblances
of subordinate natures as foundations, and operate on that which
participates of them, the superior causes themselves having a prior
energy.