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
Since, therefore, we give a twofold division to the causes of the order
of the world, and we admit one of the causes to be monadic, but the
other triadic, and we acknowledge that the monad is productive of the
triad, being persuaded by Plato, and since we have shown that the triad
is the offspring of the monad, let us see in what order it is possible
to arrange each of these. For wishing to learn this, we have undertaken
the present discussion concerning them. The monad, therefore, which,
as we have said, Socrates calls Necessity, is perfectly exempt from
mundane natures, and by the last of her powers imparts motion to all
heaven, neither being converted to it, nor energizing about it, but
imparting an orderly circulation to the world, by her very essence, and
by being firmly established. For [Socrates says] that the spindle is
moved on the knees of Necessity; but that she herself having royally
established herself on a throne near to the universe, governs the
heavens in a silent path. But the triad is now in a certain respect
co-arranged with the circulations of the heavens, convolves them with
hands, and energizes about them, and no longer causes them to revolve
by its very being alone [in the same manner as the monad]. For the
triad is the cause of the order and circulations of the universe, by
producing and performing a certain thing; though in this also there is
a different energy. For Lachesis indeed moves with both her hands; but
each of the remaining Parcæ, with one hand only. This however we shall
again discuss. But it is obvious to every one, that of this production
which subsists according to the monad, and the triad proceeding from
it, it must be granted that the monad is established in a more ancient
order of Gods, but the triad in an inferior order.