The Voice Of The World

Lectures on Ancient Philosophy

"The Voice of the World"

But since the generated world is a collective whole, if we apply the ears of our intellect to the world we shall, perhaps, hear it thus addressing us :

There is no doubt but I was produced by Divinity, from whence I am formed perfect, composed from all animals, entirely sufficient to myself, and destitute of nothing; because all things are contained in my ample bosom, the nature of all generated beings, Gods visible and now no longer invisible, the illustrious of daemons, the noble army of virtuous souls, and Pagans rendered happy by wisdom and virtue. Nor is earth alone with adorned with an endless variety of plants and animals, nor does the power of universal soul alone diffuse itself to the sea and become bounded by its circumfluent waters, while the wide expanse of aether is destitute of life and soul; but the celestial spaces are filled with illustrious souls, supplying life to the stars and directing their revolutions in everlasting order. Add too, that the celestial orbs, in imitation of intellect which seeks after nothing external, are wisely agitated in a perpetual circuit around the central sun. Besides, whatever I contain desires good, all things collectively considered, and particulars according to their peculiar ability; for that general soul by which I am enlivened, and the Heavens, the most illustrious of my parts, continually depend on good for support, together with the Gods which reign in my parts, every animal and plant, and whatever I contain which appears destitute of life. While some things are seen participating of being alone, others of life, and others besides this are indeed with sentinent powers, some possess the still higher faculty of reason, and lastly others are all life and intelligence; for it is not proper to require every where equal things among such as are unequal, nor to expect that the finger should see, but to assign this as the province of the eye, while another purpose is desired in the finger, which can, I think, be no other than it remains as a finger and performs its peculiar office.

Lillith