divine inspiration,[1] they asserted that the Deity is an indivisible monad, both itself generating itself, and that out of this were formed all things. For this, say they,[2] being unbegotten, produces the succeeding numbers; for instance, the monad, superadded into itself, generates the duad; and in like manner, when superadded [into duad, triad, and so forth], produces the triad and tetrad, up to the decade, which is the beginning and end of numbers. Wherefore it is that the first and tenth monad is generated, on account of the decade being equipollent, and being reckoned for a monad, and [because] this multiplied ten times will become a hundred, and again becomes a monad, and the hundred multiplied ten times will produce a thousand, and this will be a monad. In this manner also the thousand multiplied ten times make up the full sum of a myriad; in like manner will it be a monad. But by a comparison of indivisible quantities, the kindred numbers of the monad comprehend 3, 5, 7, 9.[3]
There is also, however, a more natural relation of a different number to the monad, according to the arrangement of the orbit of six days' duration,[4] [that is], of the duad, according to the position and division of even numbers. But the kindred number is 4 and 8. These, however, taking from the monad of the numbers[5] an idea of virtue, progressed up to the four elements: [I allude], of course, to spirit, and fire, and water, and earth. And out of these having made the world,
- ↑ Or, "meditation on the divine nature," or "godlike reflection."
- ↑ The ms. has "says he."
- ↑ The Abbe Cruice suggests the elimination of 9, on account of its being a divisible number.
- ↑ Miller considers some reference here to the six days' creation (Hexaëmeron), on account of the word φυσικωτέρα, i.e. more natural. The Abbe Cruice considers that there is an allusion to an astronomic instrument used for exhibiting harmonic combinations; see Ptolem. Harmon. i. 2. Bunsen reads τοῦ ἑξακύκλου ὑλικοῦ.
- ↑ The text is obviously corrupt. As given by Schneidewin, it might be rendered thus: "These deriving from the monad a numerical symbol, a virtue, have progressed up to the elements." He makes no attempt at a Latin version. The Abbe Cruice would suggest the introduction of the word προστεθεῖσαν, on account of the statement already made, that "the monad, superadded into itself, produces a duad."
