Secunda via est ex ratione causae e

Secunda via est ex ratione causae efficientis. Invenimus enim in istis sensibilibus esse ordinem causarum efficientium, nec tamen invenitur, nec est possibile, quod aliquid sit causa efficiens sui ipsius; quia sic esset prius seipso, quod est impossibile. Non autem est possibile quod in causis efficientibus procedatur in infinitum. Quia in omnibus causis efficientibus ordinatis, primum est causa medii, et medium est causa ultimi, sive media sint plura sive unum tantum, remota autem causa, removetur effectus, ergo, si non fuerit primum in causis efficientibus, non erit ultimum nec medium. Sed si procedatur in infinitum in causis efficientibus, non erit prima causa efficiens, et sic non erit nec effectus ultimus, nec causae efficientes mediae, quod patet esse falsum. ergo est necesse ponere aliquam causam efficientem primam, quam omnes Deum nominant.

Wyniki (angielski) 1:

The second way is from the nature of the efficient cause. We find in the world of sense is an order of efficient causes, and yet is to be found, nor is it possible, that a thing is the cause of the efficient cause of itself; because in that case it would be prior to itself, which is impossible. In efficient causes it is not, however it is not possible to go on to infinity. For I will at all efficient causes following in order, the first is the cause of the intermediate and the intermediate is the cause of the last, or intermediate cause be several, or only one, if you remove the cause is removed the effect is, therefore, if there be no first cause among efficient causes, there will be no ultimate, nor any intermediate. But if we go on to infinity in efficient causes, there will be no first efficient cause, neither will there be an ultimate effect, nor any intermediate efficient causes; which is plainly false. Therefore, it is necessary to admit a first efficient cause, to which everyone gives the name of God.