the effect of either of them to exist without (1) the other. It is also impossible for there to be two mutually concomitant beings, each necessarily existent; for a necessarily existent being cannot have its existence conditioned upon the existence of another, nor its causal efficacy conditioned upon that of another. Were that so, it would depend upon another and therefore would not be necessary in itself or independent of all else. Thus, anything (2) that depends upon another with respect to its own being, any of its attributes, or any of its acts (3) is not self-sufficient in itself but depends upon another. [Anyone who depends upon another, even in a single respect] (4) is not self-sufficient in and of himself.

It is necessarily known that there must (5) exist a being that is self-sufficient in itself and independent of everything else in (6) every respect. Anything that exists is either contingent or necessary, and the contingent must depend upon a necessary being. Thus, on either supposition, the existence of a necessary being is established.

Likewise, it may be said of existence (7): it is either originated or beginningless. That which is originated must depend upon something beginningless; thus, on either supposition, the existence of something beginningless is established.

Likewise, it may be said: it is either dependent or self-sufficient. What is dependent must depend upon something self-sufficient; thus, on either supposition, the existence of something self-sufficient is established.

Likewise, it may be said: the existent (8) is either self-subsisting or not self-subsisting. That which is not self-subsisting must depend upon the Self-Subsisting; thus, on either supposition, the existence of the Self-Subsisting is established.