Monologion: Chapter 20
BASIC WRITINGS
Therefore, if this interpretation of 'nothing' that I have offered is carefully examined, it is most truly concluded that neither something nor nothing either preceded or will follow the supreme essence, and that nothing existed before it or will follow it. And nonetheless, the solidity of what has already been established is not shaken by any worthless nothing.
Chapter 20 That he exists in every place and time Now it was concluded above that this creating nature exists everywhere and in all things and through all things,19 and that, from the fact that he neither came into existence nor will cease to exist, it follows that he always was and is and will be.20 Nevertheless, I feel the rumblings of a contradiction, which compels me to investigate more carefully where and when he exists. Now the supreme essence exists either everywhere and always, or merely somewhere and sometimes, or nowhere and never; or, as I put it, either in every place or time, or determinately in some, or in none.
But what seems more absurd than this: that he who exists supremely and most truly, exists nowhere and never? So it is false that he exists nowhere or never. Further, since no good thing—indeed, since nothing at all—exists without him, if he exists nowhere and never, then every good thing exists nowhere and never, and absolutely everything exists nowhere and never. Just how false that is, there is no need to say.Therefore, it is also false that he exists nowhere and never.
Therefore, he either exists determinately somewhere and sometimes, or everywhere and always. Now if he exists determinately in some place or time, it is only in that place and time, where and when he exists, that anything can exist. Absolutely no essence exists where and when he does not exist, since without him nothing exists. From this it follows that there is some place and some time where and when nothing at all exists. But since that is false (after all, that place and that time are themselves something), the supreme nature cannot exist determinately somewhere or sometimes. And if it is said that through himself he exists determinately at a certain time and place, but through his power he exists wherever and whenever anything exists, that is not true. For since it is evident that his power is nothing other than himself, his power in no way exists apart from him.Therefore, since he does not exist determinately somewhere and sometimes, he must exist everywhere and always—that is, in every place and time.
19 Anselm argues for this claim in Chapter 14.
20 Anselm argues for this claim in Chapter 18.