tercourse we must refer every individual thing to its species, [1](and all things to one,)[1] by asking questions and disproving what has been not correctly asserted. For this is truly a touch stone the most beautiful and thoroughly the first amongst men; but in the case of such, as are not (touchstones), and only pretend to be, there is a labour the most vain of all.
Further still, the accuracy of time must be considered by us, and how exactly it completes all that takes place in heaven; so that he, who believes the assertion to be true, that soul is a thing older and more divine than body, would also conceive it has been very beautifully and sufficiently said, that all things are full of gods; and that we have never been neglected through the forgetfulness or carelessness of superior beings. But as regards all such things as these, we should bear this in mind, that, if any one apprehends correctly each of these matters, there will be a great benefit to him, who has apprehended them; but if not, that it will be better for him to be ever calling upon a god, [2]according to method.[2] And let this be the method for it is necessary to say so much at least as this Every diagram, system of number, and composition of harmony, together with the one agreement of all the stars in their revolutions, ought to be apparent to him, who learns in a proper manner. And that, of which we are speaking, will become apparent, if a person rightly learns, looking to one thing. For to those, who think upon the matter, there will appear to be naturally one bond to all of these. But if a person will take the matter in hand in any other way, he must, as we have said, call upon fortune. For, without these, no nature will become lucky in states. But this is the method, (and) this the nurture, and through these subjects of instruction we must proceed, whether they are difficult or easy. Nor is it lawful to neglect the gods; since the happy report, relating to all of them, has, according to a manner, become apparent. And I call him, who thus apprehends all these points, the man the most truly wise; who, I stoutly affirm, both in jest and
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The words between the brackets are found only in the version of Ficinus, "omnia denique in unum—"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 I have transposed κατά τρόπον from the end of the preceding sentence to its present place, as required by the words immediately following.
stand; nor could, I think, Ficinus, whose abridged version is "quam nunquam sine dictis artibus assequemur."
