Book 4 — CONCERNING THE PERFECT.

PROPOSITION XXV.

Every thing perfect proceeds to the procreation of such offspring as it is able to produce, imitating the one principle of the universe.

For as the principle of the universe, on account of his goodness is uniformly constitutive of all beings (for the good is the same with the one, and on this account that which is endued with the form of good, is the same with that which is uniform); so things posterior to the principle, on account of their proper perfection hasten to generate other things subordinate to their own essence: and this perfection is a certain portion of the good; and the perfect so far as perfect imitates the good. But this is constitutive of all things. Hence the perfect also is naturally productive of things within its power; and that which is more perfect, by how much the more perfect it is, by so much the more is it the cause of more numerous productions: for that which is more perfect, participates more of the good. But this is nearer to the good, is more allied to the cause of the universe, and is the cause of more numerous productions. But the imperfect, by how much the more imperfect it is, by so much the more is it the cause of less numerous effects: for existing more remote from the producer of all things, it becomes the cause of fewer effects. For to constitute and adorn, or perfect, or contain, or vivify, or fabricate all things, and to effect each of these in many, is allied to the principle of all. But if this is accomplished in a few it becomes more foreign from the principle.

COROLLARY.

From hence it is evident that matter which is most distant from the principle of the universe, is barren, and the cause of nothing. For if it should generate any thing, it would have something posterior to itself, and it would not be the most remote. But that which it produces, would be more distant than itself, and because it produces and imitates the productive cause of all beings, it would be nearer to the principle of the universe.