On the Secrets of Women

the intellect is not properly small by itself, nor by accident, because the intellect is not extended by extension nor by diminution. Note that appetite is twofold, namely natural and intellectual. Concerning the proposition, the text mentions "appetite," which is glossed as "natural intellect." Whence that priest desired by natural appetite to know the natures of women. Whence men by nature desire to know, as stated in the 1st book of the Metaphysics. Likewise, he desired it by intellectual appetite, because he saw the utility of understanding them.

As is written in the second book on the generation of animals, generation is eternal by way of a circle. The philosopher shows the cause of eternity in the generation of animals in the 2nd book of De Anima, saying: "The most natural of works is for each thing to generate its like, so that they may participate in divine and immortal being, which all things desire so that they may persist, not the same in number, but the same in species." For which reason the Commentator referring to Averroes says in the 2nd book of De Anima that divine providence could not make man himself persist the same in number, so it took pity on him by giving him the virtue that could persist in species. And he adds: "For this is not doubtful, because it is better to have this virtue than not to have it or not to be."

This is the executive part in which the author pursues his intent, setting forth two propositions valid for his purpose. And it is divided into as many chapters and parts as will be shown in order.