_Ans_ G.o.d, creating and animating matter, expressed by 0, which, alone, is of no value.
_Qu_ What does the unit _mean_?
_Ans_ In the moral order, a Word incarnate in the bosom of a virgin--or religion.... In the physical, a spirit embodied in the virgin earth--or nature.
_Qu_ What do you mean by the number _two_?
_Ans_ In the moral order, _man_ and _woman_.... In the physical, the _active_ and the _pa.s.sive_.
_Qu_ What do you mean by the number 3?
_Ans_ In the moral order, the three theological virtues.... In the physical, the three principles of bodies.
_Qu_ What do you mean by the number 4?
_Ans_ The four cardinal virtues.... The four elementary qualities.
_Qu_ What do you mean by the number 5?
_Ans_ The quintessence of religion.... The quintessence of matter.
_Qu_ What do you mean by the number 6?
_Ans_ The theological cube.... The physical cube.
_Qu_ What do you mean by the number 7?
_Ans_ The seven sacraments.... The seven planets.
_Qu_ What do you mean by the number 8?
_Ans_ The small number of Elus.... The small number of wise men.
_Qu_ What do you mean by the number 9?
_Ans_ The exaltation of religion.... The exaltation of matter.
_Qu_ What do you mean by the number 10?
_Ans_ The ten commandments.... The ten precepts of nature.
_Qu_ What do you mean by the number 11?
_Ans_ The multiplication of religion.... The multiplication of nature.
_Qu_ What do you mean by the number 12?
_Ans_ The twelve Articles of Faith; the twelve Apostles, foundation of the Holy City, who preached throughout the whole world, for our happiness and spiritual joy.... The twelve operations of nature: The twelve signs of the Zodiac, foundation of the _Primum Mobile_, extending it throughout the Universe for our temporal felicity.
[The Rabbi (President of the Sanhedrim) adds: From all that you have said, it results that the unit develops itself in 2, is completed in three internally, and so produces 4 externally; whence, through 6, 7, 8, 9, it arrives at 5, half of the spherical number 10, to ascend, pa.s.sing through 11, to 12, and to raise itself, by the number 4 times 10, to the number 6 times 12, the final term and summit of our eternal happiness.]
_Qu_ What is the generative number?
_Ans_ In the Divinity, it is the unit; in created things, the number 2: Because the Divinity, 1, engenders 2, and in created things 2 engenders 1.
_Qu_ What is the most majestic number?
_Ans_ 3, because it denotes the triple divine essence.
_Qu_ What is the most mysterious number?
_Ans_ 4, because it contains all the mysteries of nature.
_Qu_ What is the most occult number?
_Ans_ 5, because it is inclosed in the centre of the series.
_Qu_ What is the most salutary number?
_Ans_ 6, because it contains the source of our spiritual and corporeal happiness.
_Qu_ What is the most fortunate number?
_Ans_ 7, because it leads us to the decade, the perfect number.
_Qu_ Which is the number most to be desired?
_Ans_ 8, because he who possesses it, is of the number of the Elus and Sages.
_Qu_ Which is the most sublime number?
_Ans_ 9, because by it religion and nature are exalted.
_Qu_ Which is the most perfect number?
_Ans_ 10, because it includes unity, which created everything, and zero, symbol of matter and chaos, whence everything emerged. In its figures it comprehends the created and uncreated, the commencement and the end, power and force, life and annihilation. By the study of this number, we find the relations of all things; the power of the Creator, the faculties of the creature, the Alpha and Omega of divine knowledge.
_Qu_ Which is the most multiplying number?
_Ans_ 11, because with the possession of two units, we arrive at the multiplication of things.
_Qu_ Which is the most solid number?
_Ans_ 12, because it is the foundation of our spiritual and temporal happiness.
_Qu_ Which is the favorite number of religion and nature?
_Ans_ 4 times 10, because it enables us, rejecting everything impure, eternally to enjoy the number 6 times 12, term and summit of our felicity.