Chapter Xb

Describing the divine only by negation—God transcends all positive categories and concepts; the via negativa.

The passage describes dæmons as 'impassive' and attributes to them a quality that transcends ordinary categories.

A chain of divine beings or principles flowing downward from a single transcendent source (the One or the Father), each level less perfect than the one above.

The passage describes a hierarchy where dæmons follow the Gods and are less excellent than them.

Augustinian and Plotinian doctrine that evil has no positive being of its own but is a lack, distortion, or absence of the good — denying ontological dualism while preserving moral seriousness.

The text implies that the 'always exists' genus is deficient compared to the impassive dæmons and Gods.

The divine conceived as active, present, and dynamic—not an abstract principle but a personal responsive reality.

The Gods are described as actively observing order and accomplishing periods, indicating a dynamic divine presence.

The felt condition of exile from one's divine origin — Rumi's reed flute torn from its bed, Plotinus's 'we have forgotten,' the Gnostic forgetfulness; the affective wound that complements return_to_source and gives the return its motive.

The description of the suspended genus as 'always exists' contrasts with the impassive dæmons, implying a state of being removed from the divine perfection.