readoldthings

Every thing which subsists primarily and principally in each order is one, and is neither two, nor more than two, but is wholly one alone.

For, if it be possible, let there be two things which thus subsist, since there will be the same impossibility if there are more than two; or let that which subsists primarily consist of each of these. But if, indeed, it consists of each it will again be one, and there will not be two things which are first. And if it be one of the two, each will not be first. Nor, if both are equally primary, will each have a principal subsistence. For if one of them is primary, but this is not the same with the other, what will it be in that order? For that subsists primarily which is nothing else than that which it is said to be. But each of these being different is, and at the same time is not, that which it is said to be.

If, therefore, these differ from each other, but they do not primarily differ so far as they are that which they are said to be, — for this primarily experiences that which is the same, — both will not be first, but will be that of which both participating are thereby said to subsist primarily.

Corollary.— From these things it is evident that what is primarily being is one alone, and that there are not two primary beings, or more than two; that the first intellect is one alone, and that there are not two first intellects; and that the first soul is one. This is also the case with every form, such as the primarily beautiful and the primarily equal. Thus, too, with respect to the form of animals, and the form of man, the first of each is one; for the demonstration is the same.

COMMENTARY

This one is also straightforward enough. At every level of being, the level itself is one and one alone. Being Itself is one. Why? Because if there were two principle beings, they would both share Being Itself, which would then be... Being. Itself. The same holds at the levels of Intellect and Soul. The First Intellect is one, and the subsequent intellects proceed from it; the First Soul (the Universal or World Soul) is one, and subsequent souls proceed from it.

This same structure holds at the level of forms or ideas. The Beautiful is one; if two things both share beauty, then the Beauty that they share is Beauty Itself. Note that a whole series of beautiful things are not beauty itself; as an idea, Beauty subsists at a different ontological level from things which are beautiful. The same is true of Equal itself, which is that by virtue of which equality can be found in subsequent objects. And we can say the same for the whole series of forms. The Good, the True, and the Beautiful; the Same and the Different; Justice Itself, Wisdom, Courage, and Temperance Themselves are all one and prior to those things which participate in them.