12.30

The Light of the Sun is but one and the same, tho' tis divided by the Interposition of Walls, and Mountaints, and Abundance of other Opace Bodies. There's but one common Matter for Corporiety, tho' 'tis parcell'd out among Bodies of different Qualities: There is but one sensitive Soul neither, notwithstanding it has peculiar Conveyances, runs in innumerable Chanels, and supplies a vast number of Animals distinct from each other. And lastly, the Rational Soul tho' it seems to be split into Distinction, is but one and the same. 21 Now excepting this last, the Parts of the other Species of Form 22 and Matter, tho' without Apprehension, or any common Affection to tie them to each other, are yet upheld by an Intelligent Being, and by that Faculty which pushes things of the same Nature, to the same Place: But Humane Understandings have a peculiar Disposition to Correspondence; they stick together by Inclination, and nothing can extinguish such Sociable Thoughts in them.

Translator Notes

  1. 21.
    The Stoicks held the Rational Soul a part of the Deity.
  2. 22.
    By Form, in Rational Creatures, the Emperour seems to mean the Mind, in Animals the Sensitive Soul, in Vegetables, and Inanimate Things the Principle of Union which supports them in their Distinction, and tacks their Being together. Dacier.