the completeness of that (1), while the completeness of that cause were derived from the completeness of this (2), then each of the two completions (3) would depend on the completeness of its own cause, while the completeness of that cause would itself depend on it. For an effect does not exist until its cause is complete. Thus (4) neither effect can itself supply the completeness by which it is brought about; a fortiori, it cannot form part of what completes the cause that brings it about. For if it is impossible for a thing to be a cause, agent, or effector (* acting upon itself, or upon the completeness of its own being as a cause and effector *) (5), thereby producing itself or anything required for the completeness of its efficacy, then it is all the more manifestly impossible for it to produce the agent that produces it, or to affect the cause that affects it, whether with respect to that cause itself or anything required for the completeness of that cause’s efficacy.

It has thus become clear that there cannot be two things, each of which gives the other (6) some attribute of perfection, or something that enables the other to assist it in acting (7), whether it gives it perfection of knowledge, power, life, or anything else. All of this necessarily entails circular dependence in the completeness of the two agents and the two effectors, and that is impossible.

From this it is known that the world cannot have two cooperating makers, neither of whom acts without the assistance of the other. It is likewise impossible for both to be independent, because