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

Hence ’1 imams, having before separated the six motions in a right line, from the motion in a circle, and lieginning in what is now said, from the soul, deservedly gives to it the difference of the millions towards the right and the left hand. And thus much concerning tlie^e motions.

Lot u>, however, consider the remaining opposition. For Tiimrus, as in the world, convolves the inerratic sphere according to the side,but the planetary sphere according to the diameter, just as in the soul he convolves the circle of the same laterally, hut the circle of the different diametrically. In the first place, therefore, this must he considered mathematically, by drawing in a quadrilateral figure a

1 i. f. To Ccrrs, or RSiea, who contains in her n»ht hand parts Juno tefou stain ofaoula, and m lirr left Vesta the fountain of virtue.

’ For wopa ra ot ra here, it is necessary to read wcpnra orrn.

Am. Plat. Vol. II.

n

p. 130

PItOCLUS ON Till*'

p. 111

diameter, and conceiting thnt the circle of the same,' is convolved according to the side, hut the c ircle of the different . according to the diameter of the figure. The quadrilateral figure, also, must Ik- adapted to the two circles, i. e. to the sum¬ mer and winter tropics; and we must conceit e, that they are moved with the motion towards tin* right hand parts, according to the two >ides which are simi¬ larly posited in hoth the circles ; and also that the nnddio or the circle of the jtfwu’j is united according to the gn atest of the two circ es, hut that the eucle ot the different, which is ohliqiiewith n fen-nee to hotli, is moved according to the diameter of this quadrilateral figure. For the oblique circle [i. e. tin* zodiac] is described about this, according to which all the period of the circle of the different is convolved.

For the oblique circle [i. e. tin* zodiac] is described about this, according to which all the period of the circle of the different is convolved.

Ideating however the mathematics, let us consider what the jiecuhanties are of the diameter and the side. For we shall find those of the latter to he, the unolr hque, the effahle, the comprehensive, and that which is connective of angles; hut on the contrary those of the former to he, obliquity, the irrational, the com¬ prehended, and that which divides angles. For according to all these \u culianties, the side difii-rs from the diameter. And llu-a* also are inherent in the cncles of the soul, l’or one ot flies** circles i-* all ed to simplicity, hound, and cud ; hut the other to variety, multitude, and the nature win* h possesses infinite power. The one likewise is connective, hut die other is the cause of division. And the .un¬ is allotted the dignity of comprehending, but the oilier that of bring comprehended. Hence the one is very prop* rly said to he convolved according to the side, as im¬ mutable, 1 as united, and as uniform ; hut tin* oilier according to tin: diameter, as rejoicing in progression, and multiplications, and as effective of dillereuce. For the diameter is greater in power than the side, divides the angles, makes many spaces from one, and is situated obliquely. Hence in what follows, Flato say s, that the lalion of the circ le ot the different is oblique. But a., t ie.->e partic » ais are indications of the nature of the infinite.

“ B u t he gave dominion to the circulation ot the same and similar.
For lie suffered it alone to remain undivided.

Tins is the demiurgic sacred law, intelligibly proceeding from on high from intelligibles; viz. that more simple should predominate over more various nature s,

* Tbt- circle of tfu tamt, is iu the universe the equinoctial circle; and the circle of Me tl.fltrtnt, •» ill* zodiac.

4 K. r ot tins place, read owa/uiAXa*xo».

HOOK III.]

TIM.IX'S OI FLAK).

p. 131

that more simple should predominate over more various nature s,

* Tbt- circle of tfu tamt, is iu the universe the equinoctial circle; and the circle of Me tl.fltrtnt, •» ill* zodiac.

4 K. r ot tins place, read owa/uiAXa*xo».

HOOK III.]

TIM.IX'S OI FLAK).

p. 131

the morr uniform over the multiplied, linitos over infinites, and t{ie more nv»*r tin* less intellectual. As therefore in inlclligibles, hound lias dominion over the infi¬ nite, in inteller turds tin* male ou r the female, in supermundane natures sameness over difference, and similitude mu dissimilitude, thus also in the soul, the period of the same predominate over the circulation of the different. Hence also in sensibles, the planetary is under th** dominion of the iuerratic sphere, <md every multiform genus of life is contained by the uniform genera. Hr nice from these things likewise it may he assumed, that sameness is Letter than difference; that again similitude appears to l>e more excellent than dissimilitude; and that the opinion of the generality of l'lulnni*ts is not true, that difference is Letter than sameness and dissimilitude th in similitude. For on account of the form itself of sameness, the circle of the same is more divine. For the undivided , signifies divine union, an indivisible life, and uniformity in powers. \\ by therefore, someone may say, if this is better, rltrl not the Dr miurgus sutler the whole soul to l>e undivided ? We reply, because it is requisite 1 that the soul should possess all forms, and all the reasons and causes of mundane natures. And that which is compre¬ hensive of twofold circles, I'i morr.-perfect than that which is deli tied according to one power. For that which is after such a manner the same, as in sameness to comprehend difference occullly, is more excellent than that which subsists ac¬ cording to the psychical middle. Hut it fx-rlains to the essence of the soul to have dominion over difference, in conjunction with sameness. For the intelligible and intelbrt, are as it were the circle of sameness alone, lint the sensible essence, is as it were the circle of difference alone. For in the former, difference subsists occultly; hut in the latter, sameness has an obscure and superficial subsistence. And the soul i* a medium between both, being a duatl, and having twotohl cir¬ cles, one of which pertains to intellect, hut the other to the sensible essence. It likewise possesses twofold reasons, the one intellectual, hut the other effective of the world ; and the one proceeding to truly existing Iwings, but the other coming into contact with seiixiblcs.