On the Mysteries of the Egyptians - Pimander - Asclepius

...from a genus In traditional logic, a "genus" is a broad category (like "animal"), while a "difference" defines a specific "species" (like "rational" to make "human"). that is in itself indeterminate, and a limiting difference. For those substances are complete species original: "species." Here, it refers to the essential form or type of a being. in every respect, existing within a determined and completed act. If separate substances, being simple, do not differ from one another by specific differences under the same genus, then they do not differ by individual differences under the same species either. Therefore, each one is, as it were, a single genus or a species existing by itself.

But they do differ among themselves by the order of their ranks, and because they are related to the First Principle original: "primum." In Neoplatonism, this is "The One"—the ultimate, undivided source of all existence. in different ways. Intelligences original: "Intelligentiæ." These are pure, immaterial minds or divine beings that exist above the level of the human soul. do not agree or differ among themselves by genus or any specific differences; for they are most simple. Instead, they differ insofar as they are related to the First Principle by either the same or a different rationale, and some are arranged in higher levels of perfection, while others are in subsequent ones.

The differences between things in their actions and passions In this context, "passion" does not mean emotion, but rather the state of "being acted upon" by an outside force (the opposite of "action"). must always be traced back to differences in their properties, and these in turn to differences in their essences. One must not stop at the secondary effects, but proceed to the primary causes.

Neither in the higher substances nor in our soul is there any passive motion; rather, the whole is an effective act original: "actus." In philosophy, "act" or "actuality" refers to something fully realized or in operation, as opposed to "potentiality.". The motion of the soul, by which it moves itself, is not divided into a "mover" and a "moved," or into "moving" and "being moved." Instead, it is an essential act proceeding temporal... original: "temporali-". The word is completed on the next page, likely as "temporaliter" (temporally or in time).