First Complete Latin Philo

The septenary also declares its great and most widely extended power in sensible things, being born for the progression of all terrestrial things, or especially by the fixed revolutions of the moon. In what manner this is so must be considered: the septenary, composed of the unit and the remaining numbers in succession, produces 28, a perfect number equal to its parts. This number, thus produced, is suited to restoring the moon to 그 moment from which it first began to increase sensibly, and to which it is accustomed to return by decreasing. For it increases from the first crescent phase until it is halved in seven days, and soon advances to its full orb in as many more; then again from that goal, by the same path, it returns from the full orb to the half in another seven days, and in as many more to the crescent phase, which, being added together, complete the aforementioned number.

Moreover, the septenary is called "perfective" by those who study the properties of names, because by this all things are completed and perfected. This may be inferred from the fact that every active body has three dimensions—length, height, and breadth—and four limits—the point, the line, the surface, and the solid—from which, when combined, the septenary is formed. Furthermore, it would have been impossible for bodies to be measured by the septenary, according to that composition of the three dimensions and their limits, unless it had happened that the ideas of the primary numbers—namely, one, two, three, and four, in which the denary is founded—embraced within themselves the nature of the septenary. For the numbers just mentioned have four terms—first, second, third, and fourth; but three dimensions: the first from one to two, the second from two to three, the third from three to four.

Furthermore, even the ages from infancy until old age, which we measure by weeks of years, most clearly demonstrate the perfecting power of things inherent in the septenary. For in the first seven-year period the teeth come forth; in the second, we are rendered fit for the emission of seed; in the third, we grow a beard; in the fourth, we attain an increase in strength; then in the fifth, the time demands marriage; in the sixth, the power of understanding matures; in the seventh, both the mind itself becomes better and more enlarged, as does reason; in the eighth, it fully perfects both; in the ninth, equity and gentleness are perfected, the passions being for the most part subdued; furthermore, in the tenth, the end of life is best, while the instruments of the senses are still whole. For a long old age is accustomed to trip up and afflict everyone. These ages Solon, the legislator of the Athenians, also described in these elegiacs:

An un-pubescent boy, when seven years have revolved,

Closes his first speech as his teeth grow out.

After as many more, by the favorable will of the gods,

The hidden sign of puberty is born.

In thrice seven years, with the first down he will clothe

His cheeks, conspicuous in the strength of his age.

The fourth septenary will now increase this, and it

Will bring forth the best tokens of excellence.

Add as many more; the age, hastening more swiftly,

Has warned him to seek offspring through marriage.

The sixth age will add to the mind whatever is lacking, and in it

You shall learn what is fitting and what is unseemly.

But those which follow through the next three times two lustra,

Will adorn the tongue with sweet eloquence.