Consequently, motion takes place for the sake of that primordial goal: to resemble Him, to apprehend His essence in its everlasting perfection. This, in turn, secures perpetual existence in the most perfect condition attainable by the substance, together with all its states and concomitants.

He then says:
“In this very manner the First Principle sets the celestial sphere in motion.”

He continues:
“It has also become clear to you from this discussion that when the First Teacher states that the heavens move by their nature—what does he mean? When he says they move by soul—what does he mean? And when he says they are moved by an infinite power that moves them as a beloved moves its lover—what does he mean? There is no contradiction or inconsistency in his words.”

I reply:
What they have asserted implies that the First moves the celestial spheres by a voluntary, yearning motion, just as a beloved stirs its lover—movement arising from the lover’s desire to emulate the beloved, not because the beloved is intrinsically worthy of love and worship. At its utmost, therefore, this is motion insofar as He is an object of desire and pursuit, not insofar as He is an agent and creator. It is akin to the way food impels the eater.