[30a]
Socrates
Well, is this next one worth asking? What will you say to it?Protarchus
What is it?Socrates
Shall we not say that our body has a soul?Protarchus
Clearly we shall.Socrates
Where did it get it, Protarchus, unless the body of the universe had a soul, since that body has the same elements as ours, only in every way superior?Protarchus
Clearly it could get it from no other source.Socrates
No; for we surely do not believe, Protarchus, that of those four elements, the finite, the infinite, the combination, [30b] and the element of cause which exists in all things, this last, which gives to our bodies souls and the art of physical exercise and medical treatment when the body is ill, and which is in general a composing and healing power, is called the sum of all wisdom, and yet, while these same elements exist in the entire heaven and in great parts thereof, and area moreover, fair and pure, there is no means of including among them that nature which is the fairest and most precious of all. [30c] Protarchus
Certainly there would be no sense in that.Socrates
Then if that is not the case, it would be better to follow the other line of thought and say, as we have often said, that there is in the universe a plentiful infinite and a sufficient limit, and in addition a by no means feeble cause which orders and arranges years and seasons and months, and may most justly be called wisdom and mind.Protarchus
Yes, most justly.Socrates
Surely reason and mind could never come into being without soul.Protarchus
No, never.Socrates
Then in the nature of Zeus you would say that a kingly soul [30d] and a kingly mind were implanted through the power of the cause, and in other deities other noble qualities from which they derive their favorite epithets.Protarchus
Certainly.Socrates
Now do not imagine, Protarchus, that this is mere idle talk of mine; it confirms the utterances of those who declared of old1 that mind always rules the universe.Protarchus
Yes, certainly.Socrates
And to my question it has furnished the reply [30e] that mind belongs to that one of our four classes which was called the cause of all. Now, you see, you have at last my answer.Protarchus
Yes, and a very sufficient one and yet you answered without my knowing it.Socrates
Yes, Protarchus, for sometimes a joke is a restful change from serious talk.Protarchus
You are right.Socrates
We have now, then, my friend, pretty clearly shown to what class mind belongs
Well, is this next one worth asking? What will you say to it?Protarchus
What is it?Socrates
Shall we not say that our body has a soul?Protarchus
Clearly we shall.Socrates
Where did it get it, Protarchus, unless the body of the universe had a soul, since that body has the same elements as ours, only in every way superior?Protarchus
Clearly it could get it from no other source.Socrates
No; for we surely do not believe, Protarchus, that of those four elements, the finite, the infinite, the combination, [30b] and the element of cause which exists in all things, this last, which gives to our bodies souls and the art of physical exercise and medical treatment when the body is ill, and which is in general a composing and healing power, is called the sum of all wisdom, and yet, while these same elements exist in the entire heaven and in great parts thereof, and area moreover, fair and pure, there is no means of including among them that nature which is the fairest and most precious of all. [30c] Protarchus
Certainly there would be no sense in that.Socrates
Then if that is not the case, it would be better to follow the other line of thought and say, as we have often said, that there is in the universe a plentiful infinite and a sufficient limit, and in addition a by no means feeble cause which orders and arranges years and seasons and months, and may most justly be called wisdom and mind.Protarchus
Yes, most justly.Socrates
Surely reason and mind could never come into being without soul.Protarchus
No, never.Socrates
Then in the nature of Zeus you would say that a kingly soul [30d] and a kingly mind were implanted through the power of the cause, and in other deities other noble qualities from which they derive their favorite epithets.Protarchus
Certainly.Socrates
Now do not imagine, Protarchus, that this is mere idle talk of mine; it confirms the utterances of those who declared of old1 that mind always rules the universe.Protarchus
Yes, certainly.Socrates
And to my question it has furnished the reply [30e] that mind belongs to that one of our four classes which was called the cause of all. Now, you see, you have at last my answer.Protarchus
Yes, and a very sufficient one and yet you answered without my knowing it.Socrates
Yes, Protarchus, for sometimes a joke is a restful change from serious talk.Protarchus
You are right.Socrates
We have now, then, my friend, pretty clearly shown to what class mind belongs
