Iamblichus Quotes on Knowledge
Iamblichus of Chalcis was a Syrian Greek Neoplatonist philosopher and the founder of the Syrian school of Neoplatonism. This page collects quotes attributed to Iamblichus on the topic of knowledge, drawn from across the philosopher's works.
Quotes
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Attributed to Iamblichus:
“It is not pure thought that unites theurgists to the gods.”
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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 ) -
“As quoted in The Lives of the Sophists by Eunapius ( online exerpt )”
Wait for the appointed hour. -
“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 -
“As quoted in The Lives of the Sophists by Eunapius”
It is irreverent to the Gods to give you this demonstration, but for your sakes it shall be done. -
“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) -
“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 -
“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 -
“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