The Commentaries on the Timaeus of Plato — trans. Thomas Taylor

For the double b. ing vanquished through the whole of itself by the duad, the sesipiialter is indeed analogous to it, but diminisht s the ratio of suhjet lion. 1

Farther still, it is evident that the triple exhibits the third interval in that whit h returns from tin* abiding principle. To which may In* added, th.it the triad fx-mg the first manlier, and primarily a whole, having a beginning, middle and end, is assimilated to the monad, which comprehends all multitude imieally. through this therefore, l*lato shows, that the subject of the soul consisting of three wholes, is again triple. For hi* divides it into the abiding, proceeding, and returning, according to the division of the divine genera. For in them also there is a triple genera, one of which abides, another proceeds, and another is converted, or returns to its principle. And one indeed is the cause of sameness, stable power, and essence; another, is tin* primary leader of generations, progressions, and multiplications; and another, is perfective, and the cause of the elevation of secondary to primary natures. But through the words that follow, he shows how

• Thus 2 to 1 is a ami 3 lo '2 is a sesquialter ratio. But the fatter is analogous to llie former :

for 2 : 1 ::3: ’. The sesquiafter however diminishes the ratio of subjection. For 2 contains 1 twice, but 3 contains 2 only once and one half of 2 besides.

BOOK III ]

TIMJEUS OF PLATO.

p. 99

the soul adorns secondary natures, according to the very essence of itself. For prior to the soul imparting powers or energies, he demonstrates that it contains these ratios in itself, from which, and through which it governs, the first partici¬ pants of itself, and such things as are adorned by it, according to a second sepa¬ ration from it; itself indeed, having wholly the relation 1 of a monad, hut the} imitating its* progressions and regressions. For the soul prior to them, proceeds indeed dyadieally, hut is converted triadically. And the whole of it indeed that proceeds, is separated from that which abides: for it is separated doubly. But that which is converted, or returns, is separated by half. 1 For separation is the peculiarity of progression, but sameness and similitude of conversion. For that w hich returns, is made as it were that w hich abides, becoming all instead of one, and instead of a whole prior to parts, a whole consisting of parts. And it appears indeed to be the triple of that which abides; but is less than it in power, and comprehensive of the parts contained in it.

“ Then a fourth part, double of the second, a fifth, triple of the third, a sixth, octuple of the first, and a seventh twenty-seven times the first.”

And it appears indeed to be the triple of that which abides; but is less than it in power, and comprehensive of the parts contained in it.

“ Then a fourth part, double of the second, a fifth, triple of the third, a sixth, octuple of the first, and a seventh twenty-seven times the first.”

The all-perfect essence itself of the soul, is comprehended through the abovementioned numbers; of which one abides in the soul, another, proceeds from, and another, is converted to it. Since, however, it is necessary to survey the parts of it, and the causes of those things that are in it, these also Plato copiously explains, delivering to us, the comprehending and comprehended ideas in it of all things. Through the fourth theretore, and the fitth parts, the soul comprehends the reasons of all its first participants. And it contains indeed, the progression of them through tin* fourth part, but their regression through the fifth. 4 [Hence Plato refers the fourth part to the second, but the fitth to the third, because parts imitate wholes, and subsist analogously to them.’] But through the sixth and seventh parts, it constitutes, as we have before observed, solid masses themselves; gene-

‘ It is necessary here, to supply the wool Anyoc.

1 For in this plarr, it is requisite to rrait nvriji.

1 That which proceeds is separated doubly from that wine h abides : for the duple ratio 2 to 1, or f is doubly separated I'roiu I- But that which is converted, or returns, is separated from the abiding principle by half. For’ differs from 1 by t. So that what proceeds, and also that which returns, are here to be considered according to habitude, i. e. according lo their proximity and alliance, the former to unity iimnerji itely, hut the latter to uuitv through 2 as a medium.

4 riie words, rtjy eiriirrpoyFje Sta rtj« ee/urrj/*, are omitted iii the original.

* file words within the brackets are supplied from the version ofThoinaeut.

p. 100

PROCLUS ON THE

[boor hi.

4 riie words, rtjy eiriirrpoyFje Sta rtj« ee/urrj/*, are omitted iii the original.

* file words within the brackets are supplied from the version ofThoinaeut.

p. 100

PROCLUS ON THE

[boor hi.

rating them indeed, according to the sixth part, but converting them according to the seventh part. For the total form of it, is terminated by the progression of these. And you may see how the numliers, and the order of the progression, are adapted to the soul. For the lieginning from the monad, gives to the soul a progression from intellect; but the termination in these cubes, evinces the harmony of all the celestial orbs,* for they produce by their composition the celestial harmony. Fach of them likewise is a harmony. For the Pythagoreans are accustomed to call a cube harmony, because it is the only figure that has equal* angles, analo¬ gous to the sides and the superficies.’ And the second* of the terms indeed, have a progression from, and a regression to the monad. Hut again, these remaining as wholes, the third’ of the terms are divided into that which proceeds, and that which returns, and are referred to tlu* tt nils proximately placed above them* And again, the fourth 7 of the terms, are referred to the monad; because of the m aen terms, the monad imitates that which abides; but the middle terms having the form of tlu duad,* imitate that which proceeds ; and the 1 ist terms, that which returns. For both the last tt rms are triadic. lair the octuple itself, is in a certain respect triadic, as proceeding into the third order. We have therefore the one wholeness of the soul in the mixture, the triple 9 of it in the third, and the qua¬ druple of it in the fourth terms; conformably to which also it fabricates wholes according to each form of providence. And in the wholeness indeed, we shall find it comprehending the triple form, but in the triple the tetradic form, and always collecting parts into union through whoh s.

“ Put after these things, he tilled the double and triple intervals, still cutting till* parts lroin thence 1 i. e. troin the whole , and placed them between the intervals."

Theologists say, that in the Deniiurgus there are dividing and connecting '*

• For aofionuy lirrr, it is necessary lo read ovpanwK

* Instrati of in this place, it is requisite lo reud tans.

1 The Pythagoreans railed a cube liarinuny, because it has 8 angle*, 12 sides, or bouudmg lints, and (i superfine*; auil 0, 8, 12 are in harmonic pmjiortion.

4 i e. 2 and 3. 1 i. e. 4 and y.

* For inrvKtifjcvvvt here, rtad virtpiti/iowi.

7 i. e. t> and ‘27, and llitse being tubes, are images of stability.

• y a* util as 1 may be said to have the form of the duad, in consequence of being a square number or the trevnd power nooK in.]

9 For txtxXciy lit rc, it is necessary to read rptxXcvy.

*° Instead of cvmuruui ui this place, its* necessary to read cvrftrruat.

TIMiEUS OF PLATO.

p. 101