Thrice-Greatest Hermes, Vol. 3, by G.R.S. Mead, [1906], at sacred-texts.com
Thrice-Greatest Hermes, Vol. 3, by G.R.S. Mead, [1906], at sacred-texts.com
(Title from Patrizzi (p. 38); followed by: “From the [Sermons] to Ammon.”
Text: Stob., Phys., v. 20, under heading: “Of Hermes from the [Sermons] to Ammon”; G. p. 70; M. i. 48, 49; W. i. 82.
Ménard, Livre IV., No. ii. of “Fragments of the Books of Hermes to Ammon,” p. 258.)
All things are born by Nature and by Fate, and there is not a [single] space bereft of Providence.
Now Providence is the Self-perfect 1 Reason.
And of this [Reason] there are two spontaneous powers,—Necessity and Fate.
And Fate doth minister to Providence and to Necessity; while unto Fate the Stars 2 do minister.
For Fate no one is able to escape, nor keep himself from their 3 shrewd scrutiny. 4
For that the Stars are instruments of Fate; it is at its behest that they effect all things for nature and for men. 5
60:1 αὐτοτελὴς λόγος,—complete in itself.
60:2 That is, the Seven Spheres.
60:3 Sc. of the Stars.
60:4 δεινότητος.
60:5 With this extract compare Exx. x., xi., xiii.