THE RELATION OF BOTH KINDS OF MATTER TO ESSENCE.

In the intelligible world, matter is essence; for what is above it (the

One), is considered as superior to essence. In the sense-world, on the

contrary, essence is above matter; therefore matter is nonentity, and

thereby is the only thing foreign to the beauty of essence.

Plotinos: Complete Works, v. 1 In Chronological Order, Grouped in Four Periods · 第 362 / 467 题