and Creator of this universe
(also called the heaven or the world) or his work is indeed difficult;
_and when discovered it is impossible to reveal him to mankind at
large_.... The composing (or framing) Artificer constituted the universe
from entire elements of fire, water, air and earth and ... considering
that it would thus be a whole animal.... He gave it also a figure becoming
and allied to its nature; and to the animal destined to comprehend all
others within itself that figure as the most becoming which includes
within itself every sort of figure whatever. Hence he fashioned it in the
shape of a sphere, perfectly round, having its centre everywhere equally
distant from the bounding extremities.... He assigned to it a motion
peculiar to itself ... making the world to turn constantly on itself and
on same point, he gave it a circular motion ... he assigned to it a motion
peculiar to itself, being that of all the seven kinds of motion.... As for
the soul, he fixed it in the middle, extended it throughout the whole and
likewise surrounded it with its entire surface ... and so, causing a
circle to revolve in a circle, he established the world as one
substantive, solitary object.... _Let the universe be called heaven or the
world or by any other name it usually receives_.... The soul of this
universe ... being composed of three parts ... being interwoven throughout
from the middle to the very extremities of space and covering it even all
around externally, though at the same time herself revolving within
herself, originated the divine commencement of an unceasing and wise life
throughout all time.... Time ... was generated with the universe.... Time
... an eternal image _on the principles of numbers_ ... the perfect number
of time completes a perfect year ... for this purpose ... were formed
_such of the stars as moved circularly through the universe_...."

While a careful study of Plato's work will further elucidate his views
concerning the quadruplicate nature of the universe, of its comprehensive
unity, of axial rotation, the generation of time and of the principle of
numbers, I point out that the following passage conveys the idea of
applying the universal plan to the regulation of human thought: "This,
however, we may assert, that God invented and bestowed sight upon us for
the express purpose, that on _surveying the circles of intelligence in the
heavens_, we might properly employ those of our minds, which, though