De mundo superlunari et sublunari.
The Two Worlds Above and Below the Moon
Mathematicians divide the world into a stable superlunary realm called 'nature' and a sublunary realm sustained by vital spirit poured in from above.
This is why mathematicians divided the world into two parts: namely the part that is above the circle of the moon, and the part that is below. They called the superlunary world 'nature,' because there all things stand firm by a primordial law; and the sublunary world they called the 'work of nature,' that is, of the higher world, because every kind of living being that is quickened in it by the infusion of the vital spirit receives nourishment poured in from above through invisible channels, not only to grow by being born, but also to be sustained by nourishment.
Time, Eternity, and Their Earthly Shadow
The higher world is called 'time' through stellar motion and the lower 'temporal' by participation, while also named 'Elysium' and 'Hell' according to their tranquility or confusion.
They also called the higher world 'time,' on account of the course and motion of the stars in it, and the lower world 'temporal,' because it is moved by the motions above it. Likewise they called the world above the moon 'Elysium,' because of the perpetual tranquility of light and rest, and this lower world 'Hell,' because of the inconstancy and confusion of fluctuating things.
Immortality, Mutability, and the Human Calling
Because humans share in both mutability and immortality, their actions converge on restoring the divine image or providing for earthly needs, especially under adversity.
I've gone into these points a bit more fully to show that whatever capacity in a human being is mutable, to that same extent it's subject to necessity, but whatever capacity is immortal, to that same extent it's akin to the divine. From this we can draw the conclusion stated above: namely, that the aim of all human actions converges on this one end, so that either the likeness of the divine image may be restored in us, or the needs of this life may be provided for — and the more easily those needs can be harmed by adversity, the more they need to be cherished and preserved.
Read the original Latin
Hinc est quod mathematici mundum in duas partes diviserunt: in eam videlicet partem quae est a circulo lunae sursum, et in eam quae deorsum est. et superlunarem mundum, eo quod ibi omnia primordiali lege consistant, naturam appellabant, sublunarem, opus naturae, id est, superioris, quia omnium genera animantium, quae in eo vitalis spiritus infusione vegetantur, a superioribus per invisibiles meatus infusum nutrimentum accipiunt, non solum ut nascendo crescant, sed etiam ut alendo subsistant. eundem etiam superiorem mundum tempus vocabant, propter cursum et motum siderum quae in eo sunt, inferiorem, temporalem, quia secundum motus superiores agitur. item superlunarem, propter perpetuam lucis et quietis tranquillitatem, elysium, hunc autem propter inconstantiam et confusionem rerum fluctuantium, infernum nuncupabant.
Haec paulo latius prosecuti sumus ut ostendamus hominem, qua in parte mutabilitatis particeps est, in ea quoque necessitati esse obnoxium, in ea vero, qua immortalis est, divinitati esse cognatum. ex quo colligi potest id quod supra dictum est, quod videlicet omnium humanarum actionum ad hunc finem concurrit intentio, ut vel divinae imaginis similitudo in nobis restauretur, vel huius vitae necessitudini consulatur, quae quo facilius laedi potest adversis, eo magis foveri et conservari indiget.
Didascalicon de Studio Legendi (On the Study of Reading) companion
Hugh said begin with small daily portions. Start tomorrow.
Chosen Portion serves one short, ordered devotional reading each day — the medieval lectio pattern, free on iOS.
Hugh taught that formation comes from ordered, incremental daily reading, and Chosen Portion is that ordered daily portion delivered to your phone.
- A curated daily portion in 2-3 minutes, no decision fatigue about what to read
- Progress through complete historic works in order, the way Hugh prescribed
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