Taylor - Theoretic Arithmetic.pdf - Platonic Philosophy

parent. Of figures, likewise, those which are characterized by
equality, sameness, and similitude, have greater relation to the
monad; but those in which inequality, difference, and dissimilitude
are predominant, are more allied to the duad. In short,
every figure subsists from these two principles: for the sphere,
circle, equilateral triangle, square and cube, participate of the
duad by their quantity, and their possession of interval. And
again, beams of timber, altars, scalene triangles, and oblong
figures accord with the monad, from which they receive their
form.
Again, the Pythagoreans, says Syrianus, considered accidents,
and saw that the same principles had an analogous subsistence
in these; and that they had their proper monad and duad; the
former being the cause of identity to them, and the latter of
difference and multitude. In natural reasons also, or productive
seminal principles, they placed effective causes. There is
therefore, in nature, one productive principle generative of all
colours, and another which is indeed primarily perfected from
this, but which produces together with it the multitude and
diversity of colours: and these are the monad and duad of
colours. In other accidents also, which are perfected through
natural reasons, there will be found a monad and duad analogous
to these.
Having premised thus much, let us direct our attention in
the next place, to the appellations of the duad. With respect
to the appellation audacity, therefore, we are informed by the
anonymous author that the duad was so called "because it first
separated itself from the monad." For as the descent of the
soul into body, and her abandoning an intellectual and divine
life, for an irrational and mortal condition of being may be
called audacity, as being in a certain respect an improper boldness,
so with reference to the transcendant excellence of the
monad, a departure from it as the paternal profundity and the