It is impossible for the universe to have two makers. Should two such makers be posited, either each one would act upon the whole universe, which is patently impossible—for if this one produced all things, the other would not produce anything at all, much less the entirety. Were each alleged to fashion the whole, then each would be simultaneously acting and not acting.

If, on the other hand, the two were thought to share the work, and if each possessed power when operating alone, the effect produced by one would necessarily differ from the effect produced by the other: “so each god would carry off what he had created.” Whenever partners exist, the deed of each must be distinct from that of the other.

Moreover, if each of them were truly capable, one would have power over bringing the universe into being while the other retained that same power at the very same moment; thus each would be able to affect the whole while the other could likewise affect the whole—an impossibility, as shown earlier. Hence it is impossible that either be able to act while the other is also able, just as two movers cannot both set a single object in motion at the same time. Neither of them could move it except when the other is not moving it. Consequently, neither would be capable except through the enablement of the other; each would have power only by virtue of the other’s empowering him, and thus neither would be capable when alone.

Again, if each were able when acting independently, one could do the very opposite of the other and will contrary to his will—one desiring to move a body while the other desires to keep it still. The simultaneous existence of both desired states is impossible, for two contraries cannot coexist. Mutual obstruction between them would therefore be inevitable.