PROCLUS, THE PLATONIC SUCCESSOR
PROCLUS, THE PLATONIC SUCCESSOR
PROCLUS, THE PLATONIC SUCCESSOR
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
it is not possible for that which chooses things<br />
of a worse nature to remain in such as are<br />
better, but it soon tends to that which is dark<br />
and base. And not actions only, but likewise<br />
without these, the elections of the soul contain<br />
in themselves [retributive] justice. For every<br />
election leads the soul to that which is similar<br />
to its choice. If, therefore, there is anything<br />
depraved and base and atheistical in the soul,<br />
the transferring it to that which is congenial to<br />
itself is soon attended with good, with the<br />
desert which is from Providence, and with the<br />
law inherent in souls, which<br />
a Tandem is omitted in this place in the version of<br />
Morbeka, but evidently ought to have been inserted.<br />
[170] leads each of them to what is appropriate.<br />
For Providence foreknows the life of the soul,<br />
and through this conjoins it to things similar to<br />
itself; but this is the same as uniting it with that<br />
which it deserves, or with that which is<br />
conformable to its difference with respect to<br />
other souls; this, again, unites it to what is<br />
imparted by Providence, and this [finally] to<br />
good. If, indeed, it were fit that souls which act<br />
unjustly should abide on high, which it is not<br />
lawful to assert, their choice would in no<br />
respect possess what is good; but being alone<br />
evil, it would be entirely atheistical and unjust.<br />
But if choice soon removes the elective soul<br />
from things of a better nature, it possesses good<br />
mingled with evil. For every soul naturally<br />
desires the supernal region. When souls,<br />
therefore, descend into the realms of mortality,<br />
their choice is directed to a degraded life; but it<br />
is necessary that everything should descend<br />
which does not [always] energise according to<br />
intellect, though the lapse is to some souls<br />
more, and to others less, because the choice in<br />
them varies.<br />
But after what manner is the evil that is in