Proclus Quotes on Knowledge
Proclus (412–485), the most systematic philosopher of the Athenian Neoplatonist school and head of the Academy at Athens for the second half of the fifth century, gave late-antique Platonism its definitive axiomatic exposition in the Elements of Theology and the long Platonic Theology. The framework derives the entire metaphysical hierarchy — from the One through the henads, the divine intellects, the intellectual and intelligible gods, the souls, and the corporeal world — from a small number of carefully ordered propositions, with the triadic structure of remaining, procession, and return supplying the universal dialectical pattern. The Elements of Theology became, through its Arabic and Latin transmission, one of the most influential metaphysical texts of the medieval tradition.
Quotes
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Attributed to Proclus:
“Mathematics prepares the soul for the contemplation of being.”
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“Not much younger than these (sc. Hermotimus of Colophon and Philippus of Mende ) is Euclid , who put together the Elements, collecting many of Eudoxus ' theorems, perfecting many of Theaetetus ', and also bringing to irrefragable demonstration the things which were only somewhat loosely proved by his predecessors. This man lived in the time of the first Ptolemy . For Archimedes , who came immediat”
As quoted by Sir Thomas Little Heath , The Thirteen Books of Euclid's Elements (1908) Vol.1 Introduction and Books I, II p.1, citing Proclus ed. Friedlein, p. 68, 6-20. -
“This, therefore, is mathematics: she reminds you of the invisible form of the soul; she gives life to her own discoveries; she awakens the mind and purifies the intellect; she brings light to our intrinsic ideas; she abolishes oblivion and ignorance which are ours by birth.”
As quoted by Morris Kline , Mathematical Thought from Ancient to Modern Times (1972) -
“The fifth century mathematician Proclus quoted in (Morrow 1970: 337). Morrow, Glenn R. Proclus, A Commentary on the First Book of Euclid's Elements: Translated, with Introduction and Notes. Princeton University Press, 1970.”
If we listen to those who like to record antiquities, we shall find them attributing this theorem to Pythagoras and saying that he sacrificed an ox on its discovery. For my part, though I marvel at those who first noted the truth of this theorem, I admire more the author of the Elements for the very lucid proof by which he made it fast. -
“A Dissertation on the Doctrine of Ideas, &c." Footnote: see second book of Aristotle's Metaphysics.”
The Platonic doctrine of Ideas has been, in all ages, the derision of the vulgar, and the admiration of the wife. Indeed, if we consider that ideas are the most sublime objects of speculation, and that their nature is no less bright in itself, than difficult to investigate, this opposition in the conduct of mankind will be natural and necessary; for, from our connection with a material nature, our