Commentary on Platos Timaeus

it could not be. For if it were contained by two, it would not (I think) be clear which of the two held all things; nor would there be a single and simple beginning containing everything, but rather a coupled joining. Therefore, so that it might be similar in number to the model The "model" refers to the eternal Realm of Forms which the Creator imitates. whose imitation it borrowed, for that reason there are neither two nor innumerable worlds: but a single one was made by God. And because it was destined to be corporeal, visible, and tangible: furthermore, nothing is perceived as visible without fire; nor indeed can anything be touched without solidity; and there is no solidity without earth: therefore God laid the foundations of the body of the world with fire and earth. And since no two things can cohere firmly and indissolubly without the addition of a third—for there is need of a middle bond connecting the extremes—that bond is certainly the firmest which makes itself and the things bound with it into one; furthermore, this is achieved by proportion modus: here meaning mathematical ratio or limit and the harmonious measurement of the parts. ¶ For when, out of three numbers or masses or any other power, the middle term original: "medietas" relates to the lowest just as the highest relates to the middle; and again as the lowest relates to the middle, so the middle relates to the highest; then certainly the middle term differs in no way from the highest or the lowest. Again, those extremes having been reduced to the condition of the middle and to a parity with it: since the middle also takes the place of the extremes: it happens (I think) that the whole matter is associated by one and the same reasoning. And by that fact, all the members will be the same to themselves, since there is one
Ccondition for them. Furthermore, the members having been made one, the whole will be one and the same. Therefore, if the body of the universe were meant to have only length and width, but no thickness, and were of such a kind as is the surface of solid bodies, one middle term would suffice to bind itself and the extreme parts. But now, since there was a need for solidity in the worldly body—and solids are never bound by one, but by two middle terms—for that reason the Craftsman of the world original: "mundi opifex," referring to the Demiurge inserted air and water between fire and earth, having balanced these same elements in a healthy way: so that whatever relationship exists between fire and air, the same would be between air and water. Again, that which is between air and water, this same relationship would consist in the association of water and earth. And so, from the four aforementioned materials, this magnificent machine was fabricated, visible and tangible, associated by a friendly reasoning of the equilibrium of parts, so that it might be immortal
Dand indissoluble against every accident, except by the will of its own fabricator. Therefore, those four bodies were taken whole and without any diminution for the containment of the world. Indeed, it was constructed out of all the fire and likewise out of all the remaining air, water, and earth, with no part of body or power left behind or disregarded: for this reason, it is a perfect living being original: "animal," meaning a thing with a soul/life: as one composed of whole and perfect bodies: and further, so that it might possess eternal safety. For He saw that such was the nature of a body: that it could easily be harmed by the troublesome arrival of heat, or conversely by cold, and all such things which possess great and violent power. By this counsel and consideration, He composed one perfect thing out of all perfect things, beyond old age and dissolution, and gave it a fitting shape: indeed, for a living being that was to contain all living beings and all their forms within its own circuit: a globular and round shape, which is equidistant from the middle to every part of the extreme circumference: judging that which is entirely similar to itself to be the better likeness. Furthermore, He polished the globe to be smooth everywhere on the outside, and not without purpose. For indeed, the use of sight was not necessary, since all visible things were gathered inside the globe. Nor was hearing needed, as no sound was placed outside to be heard. Nor was there need for the aid of breathing, since all breath was contained within. Nor indeed was there a need for such members through which, after new food is admitted, the old is expelled as liquid. For nothing departed from it, nor was there any means of entry, all things being confined; but the decay of the parts growing old within itself served as a kind of nourishment.