All things which participate in anything which is common to them all move TERMtowards that which is of the same kind with themselves. Everything which is earthy turns towards the earth, everything which is liquid flows together, and everything which is of an aerial kind does the same, so that they require something to keep them asunder, and the application of force. Fire indeed moves upwards on account of the elemental fire, but it is so ready to be kindled together with all the fire which is here, that even every substance which is somewhat dry, is easily ignited, because there is less mingled with it of that which is a hindrance to ignition. Accordingly then everything also which participates in the common intelligent nature moves TERMin like manner towards that which is of the same kind with itself, or moves even more. For so much as it is superior in comparison with all other things, in the same degree also is it more ready to mingle with and to be fused with that which is akin to it. Accordingly among animals devoid of reason we find swarms of bees, and herds of cattle, and the nurture of young birds, and in a manner, loves; for even in animals there are souls, and that power which brings them together is seen to exert itself in the superior degree, and in such a way as never has been observed in plants nor in stones nor in trees. But in rational animals there are DOGMApolitical communities and friendships, and families and meetings of people; and in wars, treaties and armistices. But in the things which are still superior, even though they are separated from one another, unity in a manner exists, as in the stars. Thus the ascent to the higher degree is able to DOGMAproduce a sympathy even in things which are separated. See, then, what now takes place. For only intelligent animals have now forgotten this mutual desire and inclination, and in them alone the property of flowing together is not seen. But still though men strive to avoid this union, they are caught and held by it, for TERMtheir nature is too strong for them; and thou wilt see what I say, if thou only observest. Sooner, then, will one find anything earthy which comes in contact with no earthy thing than MOTIFa man altogether separated from other men.

Everything that shares in something common presses TERMtoward what is of its own kind. All that is earthy sinks toward earth; all that is fluid flows together; and air does the same — so that they need barriers and force to keep them apart. Fire rises because of the elemental fire above, yet it is so ready to be kindled together with any fire here below that every substance even a little dry catches easily, since less is mixed into it to hinder the flame. So too, then, everything that shares in the common intelligent nature presses TERMtoward its own kind as much — or even more; for the more it surpasses other things, the readier it is to fuse and blend with what is akin to it.

Thus already among the non-rational we find swarms and herds and the rearing of nestlings, and something like love; for souls were by then present, and the drawing-together showed itself intensified in the higher kind, as it was not in plants or stones or timber. Among rational animals there are DOGMApolitical communities and friendships, and families and meetings, and in wars, treaties and truces. And among things higher still — even though set far apart — a kind of union holds, as it does among the stars: so the ascent to the higher degree can DOGMAwork a sympathy even in things that are separated.

See, then, what happens now: only the intelligent beings have now forgotten this mutual striving and inclination toward one another, and here alone the flowing-together is not seen. Yet even so, though they flee it, they are overtaken and held — for TERMnature prevails. Watch closely and you will see what I mean: you would sooner find some earthy thing touching nothing earthy than MOTIFa human being cut off from a human being.