with it. But if A is, C also will be, for they are converted, so that C and D will be present at the same time, but this is impossible; as if what is unbegotten is incorruptible, and what is incorruptible unbegotten, it is necessary that what is begotten should be corruptible, and the corruptible begotten. But when A is present with the whole of B and C, and is predicated of nothing else, and B also is with every C, it is necessary that A and B should be converted, as since A is predicated of B C alone, but B itself is predicated both of itself and of C, it is evident that of those things of which A is predicated, of all these B will also be predicated, except of A itself. Again, when A and B are with the whole of C, and C is converted with B, it is necessary that A should be with every B, for since A is with every C, but C with B in consequence of reciprocity, A will also be with every B. But when of two opposites A is preferable to B, and D to C likewise, if A C are more eligible than B D, A is preferable to D, in like manner A should be followed and B avoided, since they are opposites, and C (is to be similarly avoided) and D (to be pursued), for these are opposed. If then A is similarly eligible with D, B also is similarly to be avoided with C, each (opposite) to each, in like manner, what is to be avoided to what is to be pursued. Hence both (are similar) A C with B D, but because (the one are) more (eligible than the other they) cannot be similarly (eligible), for (else) B D would be similarly (eligible)(with A C). If however D is preferable to A, B also is less to be less avoided than C, for the less is opposed to the less, and the greater good and the less evil are preferable to the less good and the greater evil, wherefore the whole B D is preferable to A C. Now however this is not the case, hence A is preferable to D, consequently C is less to be avoided than B. If then every lover according to love chooses A, that is to be in such a condition as to be gratified, and C not to be gratified, rather than be gratified, which is D, and yet not be in a condition to be gratified, which is B, it is evident that A, i. e. to be in a condition to be gratified,
