THE LIFE AND WRITINGS OF THE DIVINE PLOTINUS

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...one might wonder, who would not be grateful to leave such a reputation behind them? For that which was most fitting for this divine man original: "δαιμονίῳ ἀνδρὶ" — In Neoplatonic terms, a "daimon" is a guiding spirit or a person whose soul has reached a semi-divine state of wisdom., and to a greater extent than one might imagine, extended among the pious. Indeed, it was not only his distinguished virtue, but that very kindness with which God is accustomed to favor a person, so that one might speak of it even after the life within the body. And so, even if death is sweet, yet it was fitting for him, as if one were to ask by reason: where is the joy of virtue? Above all, it is that which is unsearched. He used to say that even the childish games of the messenger original: "ἀγγέλου" — while often "angel," in this philosophical context it likely refers to a divine messenger or intermediary spirit. strike us; a man truly resembles these things, but through careful attention, he avoids the misery of those still bound to common life. He also added this: that he does not happen upon this fame for himself, nor even for the sake of his own happiness, as one might say. Thus, even after death, the gods and divine spirits might show such wonderful love for him, as to long for the gathering of his written books. And there is hope that he, because of his pious way of life—which he himself says is "white"—is now among the gods. The things concerning his life, then, are made manifest by his books. During his life, most things seemed to him not to be counted by number, as if they were contrary to the scriptures, or as if they were encountered along the way. His writings might have been somewhat less than what was expected, but only because his essence was not contained within them. These things, then, pertain to his virtue, his contemplation original: "θεωρίας" — the philosophical act of seeing or perceiving divine truths., and his discourses—the fruits of his studies published after his proofs. He himself, it is said, gave the public record; many other things were sent out in a spirit of friendship, from wherever they were dispatched by him. These are the things we speak of, regarding the accusations of souls and how they relate to God, up to the point of their restoration. For at one time, their essence was ignored. They do not know these souls, nor if they assigned causes to the soul herself; therefore, it would not seem right to question them at all, since you did not perform the same services for immortal lives. He says that the birth of the man is omitted, as he would have lived. He most especially adorned the matters of his own temperance original: "σωφροσύνης" — the virtue of self-control and moderation.. These things, then, concern the life lived by Plotinus. Thus, for all people, his life is that of an equal man.

Since many, upon hearing of it, asked about the very arrangement and the description of the books—how it might be best presented—I took care that it should not be otherwise. In all these matters, my persuasion showed me that the books belong to the nature of the subject itself, so that they might not be lacking, but rather that they might imitate something of the Good original: "ἀγαθοῦ" — The "Good" is the ultimate, transcendent principle in Plotinus's philosophy, often equated with "the One.". For we have been instructed in his deeds, and not only in the deeds themselves but in the things accomplished through them. And if we say that his fame remains, no one would think that the ancient things we wrote about are more significant than those existing in his own time.

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These works have not been detached from one another, nor arranged by chance; but in organizing these works into books this way, it seemed they should be held as follows. Some introduce the virtues and concepts of Ethics original: "ἠθικῆς"; others contain the principles of Physics original: "φυσικῶν" — the study of the natural world and the cosmos. regarding the world and its contents. Harmony and numbers also persuade us, so that the sixty original: "ἑξήκοντα" — While this text says sixty, Porphyry historically organized fifty-four treatises into six groups of nine. books arrive at six Enneads original: "ἐννάδας" — groups of nine.. For the number nine is a glory, because through?... First Ennead

1. On the Living Being, and what is Man? 1

2. On Virtues 2

3. On Dialectic original: "διαλεκτικῆς" — the philosophical method of investigation through logical discussion. 3

4. On Happiness 4

5. On whether happiness increases with time? 5

6. On the Beautiful 6

7. On the First Good, and other goods 7

8. Whence come Evils? 8

9. On the Reasoned Withdrawal from Life 9

These, then, are in the first Ennead. Those belonging to the study of Physics, containing matters of the world and the things contained within it, are as follows: Second Ennead

1. On the World 1

2. On the Heavenly Motion 2

3. Whether the Stars Act 3

4. On the Two Essences 4

5. On Potentiality and Actuality 5

6. On Quality and Form 6

7. On Total Mixing 7

8. On the Activity of Sight, and how far-off things are seen 8

9. 6 Against those saying that the world is evil? and its creator? This refers to Plotinus's famous polemic against the Gnostics, who believed the material world was created by an inferior or evil deity. 9

And those in the Third? Ennead follow the same order, dealing with the Soul, as follows: Third Ennead

1. On Fate 1

2. On the Essence of the Soul 2

3. On Providence? 3