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For if any other thing pertains to the Gods, it is evident that the eternal and immutable must be allied to them.
You object, however, "that he who hears words looks to their signification, so that it is sufficient the conception remains the same, whatever the words may be that are used." But the thing is not such as you suspect it to be. For if names subsisted through compact[1] it would be of no consequence whether some were used instead of others. But if they are suspended from the nature of things, those names which are more adapted to it will also be more dear to the Gods. From this, therefore, it is evident that the language of sacred nations is very reasonably preferred to that of other men. To which may be added, that names do not entirely preserve the same meaning when translated into another language; but there are certain idioms
- ↑ See the additional notes at the end of vol. v. of my translation of Plato, and also the notes to my translation of Aristotle de Interpretatione, in which the reader will find a treasury of recondite information concerning names, from Proclus and Ammonius.
