sdi

Unfortunately, I've been dealing with a lot of brain fog this last week and have had a difficult time parsing this chapter. (I apologize if my transcription contains errors!) I found Nock's paraphrase of the chapter helpful, and I have transcribed it below:

XVII. We have stated that the gods will not destroy the universe. It must be added that its nature is indestructible. It might be supposed to be destroyed:

1. by itself;
2. by something else which exists, corporeal or incorporeal; a rectilinear movent (i. e. an element) clashing against an orbital movent (i. e. a planet), or vice versa;
3. by something else not in the sum of things existent.

But in none of these ways is its destruction possible. Destruction must be in form: but this does not affect matter, since new products arise, or in matter. But matter either perishes and is not replaced (if so, why has it lasted so long?) or perishes and is replaced (if so, either

1. from things existing: but if supply lasts for ever, so will the universe. If it does not, all things existing perish;
2. or from things not existing: This is impossible: still, were it true, while non-existents are the universe will continue to be. Surely non-existents do not also perish).

If matter survives but will lose all form, why do we not see this happening to parts of the whole? In any case, on this hypothesis it is the beauty, not the existence of things, that will perish.

Further, what perishes must

1. be resolved into its components: then something else results;
2. vanish. If so, surely God would vanish. If His power prevents that, it cannot be limited to self-preservation.

Again, if the universe perishes, it must perish

1. according to nature. But this would imply that it came into being contrary to nature; and what can so perish we can destroy; on the contrary we can change elements, but we cannot destroy them;
2. contrary to nature: this would require the existence of another nature changing the nature of the universe. But this in unproved.

Whatever perishes is subject to old age; and yet the universe is unchanged after the immense lapse of time. This should prove sufficient for those who require stronger proofs. May the universe be propitious to me.