Iamblichus Quotes
Iamblichus of Chalcis was a Syrian Greek Neoplatonist philosopher and the founder of the Syrian school of Neoplatonism. Departing from Plotinus and Porphyry, he held that intellectual contemplation alone is insufficient for the soul's ascent and that ritual practice, or theurgy, is also required to unite with the divine. The quotes below are attributed to Iamblichus, organized by topic.
Browse Iamblichus by topic
Iamblichus on God
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Attributed to Iamblichus:
“It is not pure thought that unites theurgists to the gods.”
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“What appears to us to be an accurate definition of justice does not also appear to be so to the Gods . For we, looking to that which is most brief, direct our attention to things present, and to this momentary life, and the manner in which it subsists. But the Powers that are superior to us know the whole life of the Soul, and all its former lives .”
The Mysteries of the Egyptians, Chaldeans, and Assyrians, translated from the Greek by Thomas Taylor , (1821) quoted by Annie Besant in Karma , (1895) -
“No one will deny that the soul of Pythagoras was sent to mankind from Apollo 's domain, having either been one of his attendants, or more intimate associates, which may be inferred both from his birth, and his versatile wisdom.”
Ch. 2 : Youth, Education, Travels
Iamblichus on Justice
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“The Triad has a special beauty and fairness beyond all numbers, primarily because it is the very first to make actual the potentiality of the Monad — oddness, perfection, proportionality, unification, limit.”
The Theology of Arithmetic | On the Triad
Iamblichus on Knowledge
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Attributed to Iamblichus:
“Mathematics is the bridge by which the soul ascends to the contemplation of the divine.”
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“Wait for the appointed hour.”
As quoted in The Lives of the Sophists by Eunapius ( online exerpt ) -
“It is irreverent to the Gods to give you this demonstration, but for your sakes it shall be done.”
As quoted in The Lives of the Sophists by Eunapius -
“The Mysteries of the Egyptians, Chaldeans, and Assyrians, translated from the Greek by Thomas Taylor , (1821) quoted by Annie Besant in Karma , (1895)”
What appears to us to be an accurate definition of justice does not also appear to be so to the Gods . For we, looking to that which is most brief, direct our attention to things present, and to this momentary life, and the manner in which it subsists. But the Powers that are superior to us know the whole life of the Soul, and all its former lives . -
“Ch. 1 : Importance of the Subject”
Since wise people are in the habit of invoking the divinities at the beginning of any philosophic consideration , this is all the more necessary on studying that one which is justly named after the divine Pythagoras . Inasmuch as it emanated from the divinities it could not be apprehended without their inspiration and assistance. Besides, its beauty and majesty so surpasses human capacity, that it -
“Ch. 2 : Youth, Education, Travels”
No one will deny that the soul of Pythagoras was sent to mankind from Apollo 's domain, having either been one of his attendants, or more intimate associates, which may be inferred both from his birth, and his versatile wisdom. -
“Ch. 2 : Youth, Education, Travels”
After his father's death, though he was still but a youth, his aspect was so venerable, and his habits so temperate that he was honored and even reverenced by elderly men, attracting the attention of all who saw and heard him speak, creating the most profound impression. That is the reason that many plausibly asserted that he was a child of the divinity. Enjoying the privilege of such a renown, of
Iamblichus on Life
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“They call it "friendship" and "peace," and further "harmony" and "unanimity": for these are all cohesive and unificatory of opposites and dissimilars. Hence they also call it "marriage." And there are also three ages in life.”
The Theology of Arithmetic | On the Triad -
“It is necessary that every man be surpassingly temperate. That person would most of all be a man of this sort if he were superior to money, which is what corrupts all men, and if, without caring about his life, he bestowed his pains on things that are just and pursued virtue.”
Anonymous of Iamblichus | p. 149
Iamblichus on Love
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Attributed to Iamblichus:
“Friendship is the most accurate image of unity.”
Iamblichus on Virtue
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Attributed to Iamblichus:
“The Pythagorean way of life held to silence as a discipline of the soul.”
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Attributed to Iamblichus:
“The whole of human virtue lies in the imitation of the divine.”
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“Whoever is a truly good man seeks a renown not by means of an ornament that does not belong to him but by means of his own virtue.”
Anonymous of Iamblichus | p. 151