I. 8. 15 (end)
(Armstrong Selection and Translation from the Enneads)
(Matter, absolute Evil, never presents itself to us alone; it is always bound in, overlaid with Form, which is good.)
Because of the power and nature of Good, the Bad is not only bad; for it appears necessarily bound in a sort of beautiful fetters, as some prisoners are in chains of gold; and so it is hidden by them, in order that, though it exists, it may not be seen by the gods, and that men may be able not only to look at the Bad, but, even when they do look at it, may be in company with images of Beauty to remind them (of the true beauty of the Forms in the world of Noûs.)