Book 3
17
And it is obvious even apart from this; for if there had not been Strife in things, all things would have been one, he says; for when they came together then Strife came to stand outermost. Empedocles, Fr. 36. 7. Hence it follows on his theory that God, the most blessed being, is less wise than the others, since He does not know all the elements; for He has no Strife in Him, and knowledge is of like by like:
18
By earth (he says) we earth perceive, by water water,
18
By air bright air, by fire consuming fire,
18
Love too by love, and strife by grievous strife.Empedocles, Fr. 109.
18
But—and this is the point from which we started—thus much is clear: that it follows on his theory that Strife is no more the cause of destruction than it is of Being. Nor, similarly, is Love the cause of Being; for in combining things into one it destroys everything else.Cf. Aristot. Met. 1.4.6.
19
Moreover, of the actual process of change he gives no explanation, except that it is so by nature:
19
But when Strife waxing great among the membersi.e., of the Sphere.
19
Sprang up to honor as the time came round
19
Appointed them in turn by a mighty oath,Empedocles, Fr. 30.
19
as though change were a necessity; but he exhibits no cause for the necessity.
