[517c]
and that when seen it must needs point us to the conclusion
that this is indeed the cause for all things of all that is right and beautiful,
giving birth1 in the visible
world to light, and the author of light and itself in the intelligible world
being the authentic source of truth and reason, and that anyone who is to act
wisely2 in
private or public must have caught sight of this.” “I
concur,” he said, “so far as I am able.”
“Come then,” I said, “and join me in this further
thought, and do not be surprised that those who have attained to this height are
not willing3 to occupy themselves with the affairs of men, but
their souls ever feel the upward urge and
1 Cf. 506 E.
2 This is the main point for the Republic. The significance of the idea of good for cosmogony is just glanced at and reserved for the Timaeus. Cf. on 508 B, p. 102, note a and p. 505-506. For the practical application Cf. Meno 81 D-E. See also Introd. pp. xxxv-xxxvi.
3 Cf. 521 A, 345 E, and Vol. I. on 347 D, p. 81, note d.
Plato. Plato in Twelve Volumes, Vols. 5 & 6 translated by Paul Shorey. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1969.
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