it is creative, it keeps its original
force and does not allow of division, since PER SE the mind is
superior. But the even added to itself neither produces the odd nor
is indivisible. And Homer seems to place the nature of the one in the
sphere of the good, and the nature of the dual in the opposite many
times. Often he declares a good man to be [Greek omitted] "kind" and the
adjective from it is "benignity"; as follows (I. ii. 204):--

It is not good for many to reign, let there be but one ruler.

And (O. iii. 127):--

We never spake diversely either in the assembly or in the
council, but always were of one mind.

He always makes use of the uneven number as the better. For making
the whole world to have five parts, three of these being the mean, he
divides it (I. xv. 189):--

Threefold was our portion each obtained,
His need of honor due.

Therefore, too, Aristotle thought there were five elements, since the
uneven and perfect number had everywhere the predominance. And to the
heavenly gods he gives the uneven shares. For Nestor nine times to
Poseidon sacrificed nine bulls; and Tiresias bids Odysseus sacrifice (O.
xi. 131):--

A ram and a bull and a boar, the mate of swine.

But Achilles immolated for Patroclus, all in even numbers, four horses
and (I. xxiii. 175):--

Twelve noble sons he slew, the sons of Troy,--

and of nine dogs he casts two on the pyre, in order to leave for himself
seven. And in many places he uses the ternary, quinary, and septenary
number, especially the number nine (I. vii. 161):--

The old man spoke reproachfully; at his words
Uprose nine warriors.

And (O. xi. 311):--

At nine seasons old they were of breadth nine cubits, and
nine fathoms in height.

(I. i. 53):--

Nine days the heavenly Archer on the troops hurl'd his
dread shafts.

And (I. vi 174):--

Nine days he feasted him, nine oxen slew.

Why pray, is the number nine the most perfect? Because it is the square
of the first odd number, and unevenly odd since it is divided into three
triads, of which again each is divided into three units.

But not only the virtue of numbers but a natural way of counting he
showed, as in the catalogue of ships he made (I. ii. 509):--

With these came fifty ships; and in each
Were sixscore youths, Boeotia's noblest flow'r.

And again (I. xvi. 170):--

They were fifty men.

When