The Works of Dionysius the Areopagite/Mystic Theology/Caput IV

by Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite

That the pre-eminent Cause of every object of sensible perception is none of the objects of sensible perception.

Section I

WE say then- that the Cause of all, which is above all, is neither without being, nor without life—nor with- out reason, nor without mind, nor is a body—nor has shape—nor form—nor quality, or quantity, or bulk—nor is in a place—nor is seen—nor has sensible contact—nor perceives, nor is perceived, by the senses—nor has disorder and confusion, as being vexed by earthly passions,—nor is powerless, as being subject to casualties of sense,—nor is in need of light;—neither is It, nor has It, change, or decay, or division, or deprivation, or flux,—or any other of the objects of sense.