Chapter VIII-ab

Between souls that always abide on high with purity, such as the souls of essential heroes, and those that descend into the regions of mortality, and are defiled with vice, such as the souls of the greater part of mankind, the class of undefiled souls subsists. These descend into the realms of generation, partly from that necessity by which all human souls are, at times, drawn down to the earth, and partly for the benevolent purpose of benefiting those of an inferior class. But they descend without being defiled with vice. They are also called heroes, κατα σχεσιν , i. e. according to habitude , in order to distinguish them from essential heroes. And, in the Pythagoric Golden Verses, they are denominated the terrestrial heroes. 26 . For αυτην εαυτοις ουσαν in this place, it is necessary to read αυτην εαυτης ουσαν . 27 . For εποχη here, I read μετοχη . 28 . Viz. In the plenitudes, or total perfections, of the Gods. 29 . i. e. Without habitude, proximity, or alliance to the things which it illuminates. 30 . What is here asserted by Iamblichus is perfectly true, and confirmed by experience, viz. that the passions, when moderately gratified, are vanquished without violence. But Gale, not understanding this, says, “Hoc adeo verum est, ac si dixisset, ignem extingues, oleum addendo camino.” For a moderate gratification of the passions does not resemble the pouring of oil on fire; since this similitude is only applicable to them when they are immoderately indulged. 31 . See my Dissertation on the Eleusinian and Bacchic Mysteries. 32 . In the original, Και δη, και “αι της μηνιδος εξιλασεις” εσονται σαφεις, εαν την μηνιν των δεων καταμαθωμεν , which Gale most erroneously translates as follows: “Sed et ratio possit reddi supplicationum, quibus divinam iram procuramus , si recte intelligamus, qualis sit deorum ira.” 33 . Viz. Punishments produced by the realms of generation, or the sublunary region. 34 . It is well observed by Proclus, “that divine necessity concurs with the divine will.” Θεια αναγκη συντρεχει τῃ θειᾳ βουλησει. Procl. in Tim. lib. i. 35 . For νοητον here, it is obviously necessary to read νοερον . 36 . For τουτο here, it is necessary to read ταυτο . 37 . For as a celestial body consists of light so pure and simple, that, compared with a terrestrial body, it may be said to be immaterial; hence, like the light of the sun, it cannot be divided, or in other words, one part of it cannot be separated from another. 38 . For προς αυτην in this place, I read προς αυτα . 39 .