In God, according
to the system here expounded, there are three principles or
hypostases, united but unequal--the One, the Intelligence, the
Soul; which correspond, respectively, to the God of Plato, the God
of Aristotle, the God of Zeno. Usually curt and rather dry in his
utterances, Simplicius rose to a fervid eloquence as he expounded
this mysticism of Alexandria. Not that he accepted it as the final
truth, it was merely a step, though an important one, towards that
entire and absolute knowledge of which he believed that a glimpse
had been vouchsafed to him, even to him, in his more sublime hours.
As for Decius, the utmost effort never enabled him to attain
familiarity with these profound speculations: he was soon lost, and
found his brain whirling with words that had little or no
significance. At home in literature, in philosophy he did but strive
and falter and lose himself. When at length there came a silence, he
sighed deeply, his hand propping his forehead.
'Master, how few men can ever know God!'
'Few, few,' admitted the philosopher, his gaze upwards.
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