Borrowing and assistance · Lexicon

From the book

Marsilio Ficino’s Platonic Theology, Volume I

Marsilio Ficino · Diotimos Editions · 2026

Orientation

At a Glance

The wordMutuari is to borrow or draw from another; auxilium and subsidium are aid or support.
In the Platonic TheologyGod is called cause in the proper sense because he produces a whole thing without needing another’s assistance or borrowing matter.
In this editionThe translation’s “borrow matter” preserves a deliberate ordinary-life comparison.
A place to readCosmic parts exchange natures in the mutual order of the world

Meaning

Mutuari is to borrow or draw from another; auxilium and subsidium are aid or support. Indigere marks need. The related mutuant in the cosmic-order passage describes exchanging natures, showing that the vocabulary is wider than monetary lending.

Use in the book

God is called cause in the proper sense because he produces a whole thing without needing another’s assistance or borrowing matter. Created agents work with powers and materials they have not independently supplied. Their need does not make their action fictitious; it identifies its dependence and restricted scope.

The phrase “with God’s aid” in II.7.30 accompanies subordinate agents’ differentiation of universal divine action. It should not suggest two independent contractors who each supply a missing part: the next unit says divine power differentiates itself through various intermediaries. Conversely, the recipient’s continual need for support does not mean only occasional rescue after a mishap. The shadow comparison makes the support constitutive of continuing being.

Places to read

II.2.9Cosmic parts exchange natures in the mutual order of the world
II.7.21, II.7.22The first cause borrows no matter; the whole effect requires continual support
II.7.30, II.7.31Divine aid and mediated differentiation belong to one dependent causal order

Translation in this edition

The translation’s “borrow matter” preserves a deliberate ordinary-life comparison. “Aid” should be read beside the claim that God gives being, power, and action, rather than as assistance added to an otherwise self-sufficient agent.

auxilium / subsidium

auxilium / subsidium. Printed forms: adiuvante; auxilio; subsidio.

Aid or support. God needs no assistance or borrowed material; effects require continual support, and subordinate agents work by divine aid. References: II.7.21, II.7.22, II.7.30. See Borrowing and assistance.

mutuare / mutuari

mutuare / mutuari. Printed forms: mutuant; mutuarentque; mutuarentur; mutuari.

To exchange or borrow. Cosmic parts exchange natures; God is said to need no loan of matter to produce a whole effect. References: II.2.9, II.7.21. See Borrowing and assistance.

Give or lend / receive or borrow. The paired forms depict opposed members of the world exchanging natures and motions in both directions. References: II.13.4. See Exchange and reconciliation.