On the Mysteries of the Egyptians - Pimander - Asclepius

The property of the gods is unity original: "vnitas", permanence within themselves, the immovable cause of all motions, and a transcendent providence original: "prouidentia eminens." In Neoplatonism, "Providence" is the divine care that orders the universe without the gods themselves becoming entangled in material affairs. that has nothing in common with the things for which it provides. This property is preserved in them according to their essence, their virtue original: "virtutem," here meaning their inherent power or capacity., and their action.

The property of souls original: "Animarũ" (Animarum) is a leaning toward multiplicity and motion, a connection with the gods, and the necessity of receiving something from others. They are filled by these higher beings with vital motion and must adapt everywhere to all things—partly to those that remain stable and partly to those that are in flux—tempering all things within themselves and by their own agency. This property is likewise preserved in them according to their essence, virtue, and action.

The properties of daemons original: "dæmonum." As noted previously, these are benevolent intermediary spirits, not "demons" in the modern sense. are to contain within themselves the gifts of the gods, though in a lower manner than the gods themselves. Under the divine idea and reason, they encompass the conditions of lesser things; for while they are indeed multiplied, they remain united; they are mixed, yet without being mingled; and finally, they move, but with stability.

Heroes, on the other hand, possess unity, identity, stability, and excellence, but under the conditions of multiplicity, motion, and mixture.

Daemons and heroes are closest to the extremes of the hierarchy: the former are closer to the gods, while the latter are closer to souls. The primary differences between daemons and heroes are that heroes sometimes incline more toward particular and changeable things than daemons do. These two intermediaries—namely daemons and hero—