And for myself, were but those two books left, I care not whether every other writing in the world perished to-morrow.'[Footnote: This astounding speech is usually attributed to Proclus, Hypatia's 'great' successor.] 'You must except Homer, father.' 'Yes, for the herd....

But of what use would he be to them without some spiritual commentary ?' 'He would tell them as little, perhaps, as the circle tells to the carpenter who draws one with his compasses.' 'And what is the meaning of the circle ?' asked Philammon.
'It may have infinite meanings, like every other natural phenomenon; and deeper meanings in proportion to the exaltation of the soul which beholds it.

But, consider, is it not, as the one perfect figure, the very symbol of the totality of the spiritual world; which, like it, is invisible, except at its circumference, where it is limited by the dead gross phenomena of sensuous matter! and even as the circle takes its origin from one centre, itself unseen,--a point, as Euclid defines it, whereof neither parts nor magnitude can be predicated,--does not the world of spirits revolve round one abysmal being, unseen and undefinable--in itself, as I have so often preached, nothing, for it is conceivable only by the negation of all properties, even of those of reason, virtue, force; and yet, like the centre of the circle, the cause of all other existences ?' 'I see,' said Philammon; for the moment, certainly, the said abysmal Deity struck him as a somewhat chill and barren notion....

but that might be caused only by the dulness of his own spiritual perceptions.

At all events, if it was a logical conclusion, it must be right.
'Let that be enough for the present.