On Operating
X. On Operating
1. By virtue of His power (lit. “virtue”), God the Father fashions
God the Son, Who is conceived from Him;
and they both produce the Holy Spirit.
2. Operator, operable and operating
cause the Trinity to exist
in virtue of understanding and loving.
3. A work which consists in goodness,
infinity and eternity,
has no need of anything.
4. Were there to be lacking in God the operation
of infinitising and eternifying,
in Him could dwell imperfection.
5. Good<ness> causes truth
to consist in the verifiable and the verified
on account of verifying, which proceeds from the lover and the beloved.
6. The fashioning of love that is virtuous
and understanding that is devoid of pride
are of greater worth than the building of castles and towers.
7. In virtue of goodness has God wrought man,
yet man acts wickedly on account of sin,
calumnies and ill will.
8. Were God not to exist for the sake of being operative,
He would be greater by reason of His existing
than He was by reason of His understanding and loving.
9. An act lacking in faith and charity,
and hope and constancy,
is an evil and sinful act.
10. It is better to entertain virtuous thoughts
than to earn gold and silver,
or to have sons and honours.