Κόσμος
cosmos, kosmos; order, ornament, decorum, universe
Translated by Jennifer Benedict5 Dec 2000Vetting: high9 revisions
Translation
[Meaning] the system and the union [formed] from heaven and earth and those things in the middle.1
"[The entity] which is a totality of the forms. Since it was necessary that none of the forms be destroyed, lest the whole be imperfect, it was impossible for things to remain the same in number, since they were originate and perishable, but these things partake in eternity as they are able, because all things desire the eternity of the first [dawn] as their own beginning and each shares in this according to its own limits. And this is the most suitable work of nature, that each natural thing beget another such as itself. And since we require engendering, but genetic ability occurs in limited power, on account of this we require increase. Since increase occurs because of nourishment, we again require nourishing ability. On account of this, then, we have a share of natural abilities, both we and [creatures] without reason. So that whenever we operate according to these faculties, we act as plants do; whenever [we operate] according to inclination and desire, [we act] as animals without reason: we act as men when we use reason. Therefore, as Plotinus very wittily said, all those who act madly according to their nutritive faculties, run the risk of being turned into a tree".2
But kosmos means four things: decorum, this whole [sc. universe], order, the populace in Scripture.3
Aelian [writes]: "Cleopatra also did other things which possessed profaneness, which bring me a decorum as I keep silent"4 That is, a seemliness.
"[The entity] which is a totality of the forms. Since it was necessary that none of the forms be destroyed, lest the whole be imperfect, it was impossible for things to remain the same in number, since they were originate and perishable, but these things partake in eternity as they are able, because all things desire the eternity of the first [dawn] as their own beginning and each shares in this according to its own limits. And this is the most suitable work of nature, that each natural thing beget another such as itself. And since we require engendering, but genetic ability occurs in limited power, on account of this we require increase. Since increase occurs because of nourishment, we again require nourishing ability. On account of this, then, we have a share of natural abilities, both we and [creatures] without reason. So that whenever we operate according to these faculties, we act as plants do; whenever [we operate] according to inclination and desire, [we act] as animals without reason: we act as men when we use reason. Therefore, as Plotinus very wittily said, all those who act madly according to their nutritive faculties, run the risk of being turned into a tree".2
But kosmos means four things: decorum, this whole [sc. universe], order, the populace in Scripture.3
Aelian [writes]: "Cleopatra also did other things which possessed profaneness, which bring me a decorum as I keep silent"4 That is, a seemliness.