What is the source of the quote attributed to Origen, that "the soul has neither beginning nor end"?
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I believe the second part of this quote is original to Hatch, Edwin, and A M. Fairbairn. The Influence of Greek Ideas and Usages Upon the Christian Church. London: Williams and Norgate, 1891, as follows:
Every soul has existed from the beginning; it has therefore passed through some worlds already, and will pass through others before it reaches final consummation. It comes into this world strengthened by its victories or weakened by the defeats of its previous life. Its place in this world as a vessel appointed to honor or to dishonour is determined by its previous merits or demerits. Its work in this world determines its place in the world which is to follow. (page 235f)
Hatch and Fairbairn were presenting a summary and pastiche of various Origen texts in such a way that it was not apparent to readers that it was not entirely a direct quote. In this passage, I believe they refer at least to the following passages from Origen's own work, De Principiis:
there were certain causes of prior existence, in consequence of which the souls, before their birth in the body, contracted a certain amount of guilt in their sensitive nature, or in their movements, on account of which they have been judged worthy by Divine Providence of being placed in this condition. ... And it is probable that these movements furnish grounds for merit even before they do anything in this world. (De Principiis III.iii.5)
the cause of each one's actions is a pre-existing one; and then every one, according to his deserts, is made by God either a vessel unto honour or dishonour. (De Principiis III.i.20)
we are of opinion that, seeing the soul, as we have frequently said, is immortal and eternal, it is possible that, in the many and endless periods of duration in the immeasurable and different worlds, it may descend from the highest good to the lowest evil, or be restored from the lowest evil to the highest good. (De Principiis III.i.21)
I am, indeed, of opinion that, as the end and consummation of the saints will be in those (ages) which are not seen, and are eternal, we must conclude (as frequently pointed out in the preceding pages), from a contemplation of that very end, that rational creatures had also a similar beginning. And if they had a beginning such as the end for which they hope, they existed undoubtedly from the very beginning in those (ages) which are not seen, and are eternal. (De Principiis III.v.4)
we are to suppose that at the consummation and restoration of all things, those who make a gradual advance, and who ascend (in the scale of improvement), will arrive in due measure and order at that land. (De Principiis III.vi.9)
Regarding the editorial practices of Hatch and Fairbairn, Cruttwell writes regarding this section:
Dr. Hatch has ably pieced it together from several of Origen's works in his own words.
Cruttwell, Charles Thomas. The heretical sects: Volume 2 of A Literary History of Early Christianity. Scribner, 1893, p. 505
The first part of this quote ("The soul has neither beginning nor end.") is known from Eastern philosophy. (eg. The BrahmavaΜdin. Madras: Brahmavadin Press, 1895, page 8), but I don't know when or how it became attributed to Origen.
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