On Simplicity
XIV. On Simplicity
1. Since God consists in His <own> simplicity,
He is as simple in <His> Trinity
as He is in <His> unity.
2. In God resides simplifying
in virtue of generation and spiration:[1]
in Him the compound cannot exist.
3. God, by means of His simplicity,
simplifies the simplified,
<which is> generated in simplicity.
4. God is simple as regards His existence
and simple as regards His operation,
since He has no beforehand or afterwards.
5. In God resides simple power,
simple wisdom and simple will,
which is why He is capable of enjoying simplicity.[2]
6. Goodness merely consists
in the bonifier and the bonified,
breathed forth by means of bonifying.
7. In God, concordance and equality
constitute simplicity
in virtue of the Trinity.
8. To You, O true and almighty God,
I surrender myself so utterly
that I seek no honours from anybody else.
9. He who enjoys simple wisdom,
simple memory and simple will
when honouring God, is incapable of succumbing <to sin>.
10. He who does knowingly
everything he does for God’s sake above all,
loves God simply.