Timaeus

Of all the writings of Plato the Timaeus is the most obscure and repulsive to the modern reader, and has nevertheless had the greatest influence over the ancient and mediaeval world.

在柏拉图的所有著作中，《铁米欧篇》对现代读者来说是最晦涩难懂的，然而它对古代和中世纪世界的影响却是最大的。

To bring sense under the control of reason; to find some way through the mist or labyrinth of appearances, either the highway of mathematics, or more devious paths suggested by the analogy of man with the world, and of the world with man; to see that all things have a cause and are tending towards an end—this is the spirit of the ancient physical philosopher.

将感官置于理性的控制之下；找到一条穿越表象迷雾或迷宫的道路，无论是通过数学的高速公路，还是通过人类与世界、世界与人类类比所暗示的更曲折的道路；看到所有事物都有其原因，并且都趋向于一个终点——这就是古代自然哲学家的精神。