of a work which was by nature fairest and
best. Wherefore, using the language of probability, we may say that the
world became a living creature truly endowed with soul and intelligence
by the providence of God.

This being supposed, let us proceed to the next stage: In the likeness
of what animal did the Creator make the world? It would be an unworthy
thing to liken it to any nature which exists as a part only; for nothing
can be beautiful which is like any imperfect thing; but let us suppose
the world to be the very image of that whole of which all other animals
both individually and in their tribes are portions. For the original of
the universe contains in itself all intelligible beings, just as this
world comprehends us and all other visible creatures. For the Deity,
intending to make this world like the fairest and most perfect of
intelligible beings, framed one visible animal comprehending within
itself all other animals of a kindred nature. Are we right in saying
that there is one world, or that they are many and infinite? There must
be one only, if the created copy is to accord with the original. For
that which includes all other intelligible creatures cannot have a
second or companion; in that case there would be need of another living
being which would include both, and of which they would be parts, and
the likeness would be more truly said to resemble not them, but that
other which included them. In order then that the world might be
solitary, like the perfect animal, the creator made not two worlds or an
infinite number of them; but there is and ever will be one only-begotten
and created heaven.

Now that which is created is of necessity corporeal, and also visible
and tangible. And nothing is visible where there is no fire, or tangible
which has no solidity, and nothing is solid without earth. Wherefore
also God in the beginning of creation made the body of the universe to
consist of fire and earth. But two things cannot be rightly put together
without a third; there must be some bond of union between them. And the
fairest bond is that which makes the most complete fusion of itself and
the things which it combines; and proportion is best adapted to effect
such a union. For whenever in any three numbers, whether cube or square,
there is a mean, which is to the last term what the first term is to it;
and again, when the mean is to the first term as the last term is to the
mean--then the mean becoming first a