IX. There must, therefore, be another nature which possesses existence from itself, and such is every thing which is truly being, and which is neither generated, nor destroyed. For without the subsistence of this, all things would vanish into non-entity, and this perishing, would not afterwards be generated; since this imparts safety to all other things, and also to the universe which through soul is preserved and adorned. For soul is the principle of motion, with which it supplies other things, itself moving itself, and imparting life to the animated body. But it possesses life from itself, which it will never lose, because it is derived from itself. For all things do not use an adventitious life, or there would be a progression of life to infinity. But it is necessary there should be a certain nature primarily vital, which is also necessarily indestructible and immortal, as being the principle of life to other things. Here, likewise, it is requisite that every thing divine and blessed should be established, living from itself, and existing primarily being, and primarily vital, void of essential mutation, and being neither generated nor destroyed. For whence could it be generated, or into what could it perish ? If, likewise, it is necessary that the appellation of being should truly belong to this nature, it is requisite that it should not at one time exist, and at another not; just as a colour which is of itself white, is not at one time white, and at another not white. If, however, whiteness was [real] being, together with being white, it would likewise always be. But now it possesses whiteness alone. That, however, to which being is present which is from itself, and is primarily being, will always have a subsistence. Hence, this which is primarily and perpetually being, ought not to be destitute of life, like a stone, or a piece of wood, but to be vital, and enjoy a pure life, in that part of itself which is alone permanent. But that part of it which is mingled with a subordinate nature is an impediment to its possession of the best of things, yet it does not through this lose its nature, but resumes its ancient condition, when it recurs to things which are [truly] its own.
Thomas Taylor: Tratado 2,9 (IV,7,9) — A alma é princípio de vida: ela tem o ser e a vida por ela mesma
- A alma é um corpo?
- Alma (Plotino)
- Bouillet: Tratado 2 (IV, 7) – DE L’IMMORTALITÉ DE L’ÂME
- Brisson & Pradeau: Somos nossa alma
- Enéada IV, 7 – Sobre a imortalidade da alma
- Enéada IV, 7, 1 — Somos inteiramente ou parcialmente imortais?
- Enéada IV, 7, 10 — A alma é de natureza divina
- Enéada IV, 7, 11 — A alma é imortal, indestrutível, indivisível e imutável.
- Enéada IV, 7, 12 — A alma é imortal, indestrutível, indivisível e imutável. (2)
- Enéada IV, 7, 13 — Como a alma vem ao corpo?