Primary Source Reader 2

8/7/2019 Primary Source Reader 2

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Primary Source Reader 2

Plato: Allegory of the Cave 124

Plato: Diotemas Teaching on ove 12!

Platos Crito 1"4

#$ictetus: #nchiridion 14%

Confucius Doctrine of the &ean 1%'

ao T(u: Tao Te Ching 1!1

)hagavad*+ita 2,-

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Plato: Allegory of the Cave

Re$u.lic /00

http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/plato-republic.txt

(SOCRATES, GLAUCON.) AND now, I said, let e s!ow in a "i#$%e !ow "a% o$% nat$%e is enli#!tened o%

$nenli#!tened& 'e!old !$an ein#s li*in# in an $nde%#%o$nd den, w!i+! !as a o$t!oen towa%d t!e li#!t and %ea+!in# all alon# t!e den- !e%e t!e !a*e een "%o t!ei%

+!ild!ood, and !a*e t!ei% le#s and ne+/s +!ained so t!at t!e +annot o*e, and +an onl

see e"o%e t!e, ein# %e*ented t!e +!ains "%o t$%nin# %o$nd t!ei% !eads. Ao*eand e!ind t!e a "i%e is la0in# at a distan+e, and etween t!e "i%e and t!e %isone%s

t!e%e is a %aised wa- and o$ will see, i" o$ loo/, a low wall $ilt alon# t!e wa, li/e

t!e s+%een w!i+! a%ionettelae%s !a*e in "%ont o" t!e, o*e% w!i+! t!e s!ow t!e

$ets.

I see. And do o$ see, I said, en assin# alon# t!e wall +a%%in# all so%ts o" *essels, and

stat$es and "i#$%es o" anials ade o" wood and stone and *a%io$s ate%ials, w!i+!

aea% o*e% t!e wall Soe o" t!e a%e tal/in#, ot!e%s silent.

o$ !a*e s!own e a st%an#e ia#e, and t!e a%e st%an#e %isone%s.

Li/e o$%sel*es, I %elied- and t!e see onl t!ei% own s!adows, o% t!e s!adows o"one anot!e%, w!i+! t!e "i%e t!%ows on t!e oosite wall o" t!e +a*e

T%$e, !e said- !ow +o$ld t!e see ant!in# $t t!e s!adows i" t!e we%e ne*e%

allowed to o*e t!ei% !eads

And o" t!e o4e+ts w!i+! a%e ein# +a%%ied in li/e anne% t!e wo$ld onl see t!es!adows

es, !e said.

And i" t!e we%e ale to +on*e%se wit! one anot!e%, wo$ld t!e not s$ose t!at

t!e we%e nain# w!at was a+t$all e"o%e t!e

5e% t%$e.

And s$ose "$%t!e% t!at t!e %ison !ad an e+!o w!i+! +ae "%o t!e ot!e% side,

wo$ld t!e not e s$%e to "an+ w!en one o" t!e asse%s so/e t!at t!e *oi+e w!i+!t!e !ea%d +ae "%o t!e assin# s!adow

No 6$estion, !e %elied. To t!e, I said, t!e t%$t! wo$ld e lite%all not!in# $t t!e s!adows o" t!e ia#es.

T!at is +e%tain.

And now loo/ a#ain, and see w!at will nat$%all "ollow i" t!e %isone%s a%e %eleased

and disa$sed o" t!ei% e%%o%. At "i%st, w!en an o" t!e is lie%ated and +oelleds$ddenl to stand $ and t$%n !is ne+/ %o$nd and wal/ and loo/ towa%d t!e li#!t, !e will

s$""e% s!a% ains- t!e #la%e will dist%ess !i, and !e will e $nale to see t!e %ealities o"

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w!i+! in !is "o%e% state !e !ad seen t!e s!adows- and t!en +on+ei*e soeone sain# to

!i, t!at w!at !e saw e"o%e was an ill$sion, $t t!at now, w!en !e is a%oa+!in#

nea%e% to ein# and !is ee is t$%ned towa%d o%e %eal e8isten+e, !e !as a +lea%e% *isionw!at will e !is %el And o$ a "$%t!e% ia#ine t!at !is inst%$+to% is ointin# to t!e

o4e+ts as t!e ass and %e6$i%in# !i to nae t!ewill !e not e e%le8ed 9ill !e

not "an+ t!at t!e s!adows w!i+! !e "o%e%l saw a%e t%$e% t!an t!e o4e+ts w!i+! a%enow s!own to !i

:a% t%$e%.

And i" !e is +oelled to loo/ st%ai#!t at t!e li#!t, will !e not !a*e a ain in !is ees

w!i+! will a/e !i t$%n awa to ta/e %e"$#e in t!e o4e+ts o" *ision w!i+! !e +an see,

and w!i+! !e will +on+ei*e to e in %ealit +lea%e% t!an t!e t!in#s w!i+! a%e now ein#s!own to !i

T%$e, !e said.

And s$ose on+e o%e, t!at !e is %el$+tantl d%a##ed $ a stee and %$##ed as+ent,

and !eld "ast $ntil !e is "o%+ed into t!e %esen+e o" t!e s$n !isel", is !e not li/el to eained and i%%itated 9!en !e a%oa+!es t!e li#!t !is ees will e da00led, and !e will

not e ale to see ant!in# at all o" w!at a%e now +alled %ealities.

Not all in a oent, !e said.

;e will %e6$i%e to #%ow a++$stoed to t!e si#!t o" t!e $e% wo%ld. And "i%st !e will

see t!e s!adows est, ne8t t!e %e"le+tions o" en and ot!e% o4e+ts in t!e wate%, and t!ent!e o4e+ts t!esel*es- t!en !e will #a0e $on t!e li#!t o" t!e oon and t!e sta%s and t!e

san#led !ea*en- and !e will see t!e s/ and t!e sta%s ni#!t ette% t!an t!e s$n o% t!e

li#!t o" t!e s$n da

Ce%tainl.

Last o" all !e will e ale to see t!e s$n, and not e%e %e"le+tions o" !i in t!ewate%, $t !e will see !i in !is own %oe% la+e, and not in anot!e%- and !e will

+ontelate !i as !e is.

Ce%tainl.

;e will t!en %o+eed to a%#$e t!at t!is is !e w!o #i*es t!e season and t!e ea%s, and

is t!e #$a%dian o" all t!at is in t!e *isile wo%ld, and in a +e%tain wa t!e +a$se o" allt!in#s w!i+! !e and !is "ellows !a*e een a++$stoed to e!old

Clea%l, !e said, !e wo$ld "i%st see t!e s$n and t!en %eason ao$t !i.

And w!en !e %eee%ed !is old !aitation, and t!e wisdo o" t!e den and !is

"ellow%isone%s, do o$ not s$ose t!at !e wo$ld "eli+itate !isel" on t!e +!an#e, andit !i

Ce%tainl, !e wo$ld.

And i" t!e we%e in t!e !ait o" +on"e%%in# !ono%s aon# t!esel*es on t!ose w!o

we%e 6$i+/est to ose%*e t!e assin# s!adows and to %ea%/ w!i+! o" t!e went e"o%e,

and w!i+! "ollowed a"te%, and w!i+! we%e to#et!e%- and w!o we%e t!e%e "o%e est ale to

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d%aw +on+l$sions as to t!e "$t$%e, do o$ t!in/ t!at !e wo$ld +a%e "o% s$+! !ono%s and

#lo%ies, o% en* t!e ossesso%s o" t!e 9o$ld !e not sa wit! ;oe%,

='ette% to e t!e oo% se%*ant o" a oo% aste%,=

and to end$%e ant!in#, %at!e% t!an t!in/ as t!e do and li*e a"te% t!ei% anne%

es, !e said, I t!in/ t!at !e wo$ld %at!e% s$""e% ant!in# t!an ente%tain t!ese "alsenotions and li*e in t!is ise%ale anne%.

Ia#ine on+e o%e, I said, s$+! a one +oin# s$ddenl o$t o" t!e s$n to e %ela+ed

in !is old sit$ation- wo$ld !e not e +e%tain to !a*e !is ees "$ll o" da%/ness

To e s$%e, !e said.

And i" t!e%e we%e a +ontest, and !e !ad to +oete in eas$%in# t!e s!adows wit!t!e %isone%s w!o !ad ne*e% o*ed o$t o" t!e den, w!ile !is si#!t was still wea/, and

e"o%e !is ees !ad e+oe stead (and t!e tie w!i+! wo$ld e needed to a+6$i%e t!is

new !ait o" si#!t i#!t e *e% +onside%ale), wo$ld !e not e %idi+$lo$s >en wo$ld

sa o" !i t!at $ !e went and down !e +ae wit!o$t !is ees- and t!at it was ette% not

e*en to t!in/ o" as+endin#- and i" anone t%ied to loose anot!e% and lead !i $ to t!eli#!t, let t!e onl +at+! t!e o""ende%, and t!e wo$ld $t !i to deat!.

No 6$estion, !e said.

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Socrates Teacher Diotema on ove

Plato Sym$osium

http://plato.evansville.edu/texts/jowett/symposium.htm

The ature and 3rigin of ove

And now, ta/in# lea*e o" o$, I will %e!ea%se a tale o" lo*e w!i+! I !ea%d "%oDiotiao" >antineia, a woan wise in t!is and in an ot!e% /inds o" /nowled#e, w!o

in t!e das o" old, w!en t!e At!enians o""e%ed sa+%i"i+e e"o%e t!e +oin# o" t!e la#$e,

delaed t!e disease ten ea%s. S!e was inst%$+t%ess in t!e a%t o" lo*e, and I s!all %eeatto o$ w!at s!e said to e, e#innin# wit! t!e adissions ade A#at!on, w!i+! a%e

nea%l i" not 6$ite t!e sae w!i+! I ade to t!e wise woan w!en s!e 6$estioned e& I

t!in/ t!at t!is will e t!e easiest wa, and I s!all ta/e ot! a%ts sel" as well as I +an.

As o$, A#at!on, s$##ested, I $st sea/ "i%st @21eB o" t!e ein# and nat$%e o" Lo*e,and t!en o" !is wo%/s. :i%st I said to !e% in nea%l t!e sae wo%ds w!i+! !e $sed to e,

t!at Lo*e was a i#!t #od, and li/ewise "ai%- and s!e %o*ed to e as I %o*ed to !i

t!at, own s!owin#, Lo*e was neit!e% "ai% no% #ood. =9!at do o$ ean, Diotia,=I said, =is lo*e t!en e*il and "o$l= =;$s!,= s!e +%ied- =$st t!at e "o$l w!i+! is not

"ai%= @22aB =Ce%tainl,= I said. =And is t!at w!i+! is not wise, i#no%ant do o$ not see

t!at t!e%e is a ean etween wisdo and i#no%an+e= =And w!at a t!at e= I said.=Ri#!t oinion,= s!e %elied- =w!i+!, as o$ /now, ein# in+aale o" #i*in# a %eason, is

not /nowled#e ("o% !ow +an /nowled#e e de*oid o" %eason no% a#ain, i#no%an+e, "o%

neit!e% +an i#no%an+e attain t!e t%$t!), $t is +lea%l soet!in# w!i+! is a ean etween

i#no%an+e and wisdo.= =$ite t%$e,= I %elied. @22B =Do not t!en insist,= s!e said,

=t!at w!at is not "ai% is o" ne+essit "o$l, o% w!at is not #ood e*il- o% in"e% t!at e+a$selo*e is not "ai% and #ood !e is t!e%e"o%e "o$l and e*il- "o% !e is in a ean etween t!e.=

=9ell,= I said, =Lo*e is s$%el aditted all to e a #%eat #od.= =' t!ose w!o /now o% t!ose w!o do not /now= =' all.= @22+B =And !ow,So+%ates,= s!e said wit! a sile,

=+an Lo*e e a+/nowled#ed to e a #%eat #od t!ose w!o sa t!at !e is not a #od at

all= =And w!o a%e t!e= I said. =o$ and I a%e two o" t!e,= s!e %elied. =;ow +an t!ate= I said. =It is 6$ite intelli#ile,= s!e %elied- ="o% o$ o$%sel" wo$ld a+/nowled#e

t!at t!e #ods a%e !a and "ai% o" +o$%se o$ wo$ld wo$ld o$ da%e to sa t!at an

#od was not= =Ce%tainl not,= I %elied. =And o$ ean t!e !a, t!ose w!o a%e t!e

ossesso%s o" t!in#s #ood o% "ai%= @22dB =es.= =And o$ aditted t!at Lo*e, e+a$se!e was in want, desi%es t!ose #ood and "ai% t!in#s o" w!i+! !e is in want= =es, I did.=

='$t !ow +an !e e a #od w!o !as no o%tion in w!at is eit!e% #ood o% "ai%==Iossile.= =T!en o$ see t!at o$ also den t!e di*init o" Lo*e.=

=9!at t!en is Lo*e= I as/ed- =is !e o%tal= =No.= @22eB =9!at t!en= =As in t!e

"o%e% instan+e, !e is neit!e% o%tal no% io%tal, $t in a ean etween t!e two.=

=9!at is !e, Diotia= =;e is a #%eat si%it (daion), and li/e all si%its !e is

inte%ediate etween t!e di*ine and t!e o%tal.= =And w!at,= I said, =is !is owe%= =;einte%%ets,= s!e %elied, =etween #ods and en, +on*ein# and ta/in# a+%oss to t!e #ods

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http://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Diotima&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Mantineia&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Agathon&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Agathon&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+201e&display=SMKhttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Diotima&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+202a&display=SMKhttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+202b&display=SMKhttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+202c&display=SMKhttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Socrates&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Socrates&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Socrates&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+202d&display=SMKhttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+202e&display=SMKhttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Diotima&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Diotima&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Mantineia&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Agathon&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Agathon&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+201e&display=SMKhttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Diotima&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+202a&display=SMKhttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+202b&display=SMKhttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+202c&display=SMKhttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Socrates&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+202d&display=SMKhttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+202e&display=SMKhttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Diotima&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7C


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t!e %ae%s and sa+%i"i+es o" en, and to en t!e +oands and %elies o" t!e #ods- !e is

t!e ediato% w!o sans t!e +!as w!i+! di*ides t!e, and t!e%e"o%e in !i all is o$nd

to#et!e%, and t!%o$#! !i t!e a%ts o" t!e %o!et and t!e %iest, t!ei% sa+%i"i+es andste%ies @23aB and +!a%s, and all %o!e+ and in+antation, "ind t!ei% wa. :o% God

in#les not wit! an- $t t!%o$#! Lo*e all t!e inte%+o$%se and +on*e%se o" #od wit!

an, w!et!e% awa/e o% aslee, is +a%%ied on. T!e wisdo w!i+! $nde%stands t!is issi%it$al- all ot!e% wisdo, s$+! as t!at o" a%ts and !andi+%a"ts, is ean and *$l#a%. Now

t!ese si%its o% inte%ediate owe%s a%e an and di*e%se, and one o" t!e is Lo*e.=

=And w!o,= I said, =was !is "at!e%, and w!o !is ot!e%= @23B =T!e tale,= s!e said,=will ta/e tie- ne*e%t!eless I will tell o$. On t!e i%t!da o" A!%oditet!e%e was a

"east o" t!e #ods, at w!i+! t!e #odo%oso% lent, w!o is t!e son o">etiso% Dis+%etion,

was one o" t!e #$ests. 9!en t!e "east was o*e%, eniao% o*e%t, as t!e anne% is on

s$+! o++asions, +ae ao$t t!e doo%s to e#. Now lent w!o was t!e wo%se "o% ne+ta%(t!e%e was no wine in t!ose das), went into t!e #a%den o" Fe$sand "ell into a !ea*

slee- and o*e%t +onside%in# !e% own st%aitened +i%+$stan+es, lotted to !a*e a +!ild

!i, @23+B and a++o%din#l s!e la down at !is side and +on+ei*ed Lo*e, w!o a%tl

e+a$se !e is nat$%all a lo*e% o" t!e ea$ti"$l, and e+a$seA!%oditeis !e%sel"ea$ti"$l, and also e+a$se !e was o%n on !e% i%t!da, is !e% "ollowe% and attendant.

And as !is a%enta#e is, so also a%e !is "o%t$nes. In t!e "i%st la+e !e is alwas oo%, andant!in# $t tende% and "ai%, as t!e an ia#ine !i- @23dB and !e is %o$#! and

s6$alid, and !as no s!oes, no% a !o$se to dwell in- on t!e a%e ea%t! e8osed !e lies $nde%

t!e oen !ea*en, in t!e st%eets, o% at t!e doo%s o" !o$ses, ta/in# !is %est- and li/e !isot!e% !e is alwas in dist%ess. Li/e !is "at!e% too, w!o !e also a%tl %eseles, !e is

alwas lottin# a#ainst t!e "ai% and #ood- !e is old, ente%%isin#, st%on#, a i#!t

!$nte%, alwas wea*in# soe int%i#$e o% ot!e%, /een in t!e $%s$it o" wisdo, "e%tile in

%eso$%+es- a !iloso!e% at all ties, te%%ile as an en+!ante%, so%+e%e%, @23eB so!ist. ;eis nat$%e neit!e% o%tal no% io%tal, $t ali*e and "lo$%is!in# at one oent w!en

!e is in lent, and dead at anot!e% oent, and a#ain ali*e %eason o" !is "at!e%s

nat$%e. '$t t!at w!i+! is alwas "lowin# in is alwas "lowin# o$t, and so !e is ne*e% inwant and ne*e% in wealt!- and, "$%t!e%, !e is in a ean etween i#no%an+e and

/nowled#e. T!e t%$t! o" t!e atte% is t!is& No #od is a !iloso!e% o% see/e% a"te%

wisdo, @27aB "o% !e is wise al%ead- no% does an an w!o is wise see/ a"te% wisdo.Neit!e% do t!e i#no%ant see/ a"te% wisdo. :o% !e%ein is t!e e*il o" i#no%an+e, t!at !e

w!o is neit!e% #ood no% wise is ne*e%t!eless satis"ied wit! !isel"& !e !as no desi%e "o%

t!at o" w!i+! !e "eels no want.= ='$t w!o t!en, Diotia,= I said, =a%e t!e lo*e%s o"

wisdo, i" t!e a%e neit!e% t!e wise no% t!e "oolis!= @27B =A +!ild a answe% t!at6$estion,= s!e %elied- =t!e a%e t!ose w!o a%e in a ean etween t!e two- Lo*e is one o"

t!e. :o% wisdo is a ost ea$ti"$l t!in#, and Lo*e is o" t!e ea$ti"$l- and t!e%e"o%e

Lo*e is also a !iloso!e% o% lo*e% o" wisdo, and ein# a lo*e% o" wisdo is in a eanetween t!e wise and t!e i#no%ant. And o" t!is too !is i%t! is t!e +a$se- "o% !is "at!e% is

wealt! and wise, and !is ot!e% oo% and "oolis!. S$+!, dea% So+%ates, is t!e nat$%e

o" t!e si%it Lo*e. T!e e%%o% in o$% +on+etion o" !i @27+B was *e% nat$%al, and as Iia#ine "%o w!at o$ sa, !as a%isen o$t o" a +on"$sion o" lo*e and t!e elo*ed, w!i+!

ade o$ t!in/ t!at lo*e was all ea$ti"$l. :o% t!e elo*ed is t!e t%$l ea$ti"$l, and

deli+ate, and e%"e+t, and lessed- $t t!e %in+ile o" lo*e is o" anot!e% nat$%e, and is

s$+! as I !a*e des+%ied.=

12H
http://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+203a&display=SMKhttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+203b&display=SMKhttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Aphrodite&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Poros&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Poros&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Metis&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Metis&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Penia&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Penia&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Penia&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Zeus&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Zeus&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+203c&display=SMKhttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Aphrodite&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Aphrodite&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Aphrodite&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+203d&display=SMKhttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+203e&display=SMKhttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+204a&display=SMKhttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Diotima&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+204b&display=SMKhttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Socrates&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+204c&display=SMKhttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+203a&display=SMKhttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+203b&display=SMKhttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Aphrodite&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Poros&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Metis&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Penia&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Zeus&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+203c&display=SMKhttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Aphrodite&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+203d&display=SMKhttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+203e&display=SMKhttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+204a&display=SMKhttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Diotima&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+204b&display=SMKhttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Socrates&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+204c&display=SMK


7/94

The Cause and #ffect of ove

I said& =O t!o$ st%an#e% woan, t!o$ saest well- $t, ass$in# Lo*e to e s$+! as o$

sa, w!at is t!e $se o" !i to en= @27dB =T!at, So+%ates,= s!e %elied, =I will attetto $n"old& o" !is nat$%e and i%t! I !a*e al%ead so/en- and o$ a+/nowled#e t!at lo*e is

o" t!e ea$ti"$l. '$t soe one will sa& O" t!e ea$ti"$l in w!at, So+%atesand Diotia o% %at!e% let e $t t!e 6$estion o%e +lea%l, and as/& 9!en a an lo*es t!e ea$ti"$l,

w!at does !e desi%e= I answe%ed !e% =T!at t!e ea$ti"$l a e !is.= =Still,= s!e said,=t!e answe% s$##ests a "$%t!e% 6$estion& 9!at is #i*en t!e ossession o" ea$t= =To

w!at o$ !a*e as/ed,= I %elied, =I !a*e no answe% %ead.= @27eB =T!en,= s!e said, =let

e $t t!e wo%d #ood in t!e la+e o" t!e ea$ti"$l, and %eeat t!e 6$estion on+e o%e& I"!e w!o lo*es lo*es t!e #ood, w!at is it t!en t!at !e lo*es= =T!e ossession o" t!e #ood,=

I said. =And w!at does !e #ain w!o ossesses t!e #ood= =;ainess,= I %elied- =t!e%e is

less di""i+$lt in answe%in# t!at 6$estion.= @2


8/94

@2?B

=T!en i" t!is e t!e nat$%e o" lo*e, +an o$ tell e "$%t!e%,= s!e said, =w!at is t!e anne%

o" t!e $%s$it w!at a%e t!e doin# w!o s!ow all t!is ea#e%ness and !eat w!i+! is +alledlo*e and w!at is t!e o4e+t w!i+! t!e !a*e in *iew Answe% e.= =Na, Diotia,= I

%elied, =i" I !ad /nown, I s!o$ld not !a*e wonde%ed at o$% wisdo, neit!e% s!o$ld I

!a*e +oe to lea%n "%o o$ ao$t t!is *e% atte%.= =9ell,= s!e said, =I will tea+! o$& T!e o4e+t w!i+! t!e !a*e in *iew is i%t! in ea$t, w!et!e% o" od o% so$l.= =I do

not $nde%stand o$,= I said- =t!e o%a+le %e6$i%es an e8lanation.= @2?+B =I will a/e

eanin# +lea%e%,= s!e %elied. =I ean to sa, t!at all en a%e %in#in# to t!e i%t! int!ei% odies and in t!ei% so$ls. T!e%e is a +e%tain a#e at w!i+! !$an nat$%e is desi%o$s o"

%o+%eation %o+%eation w!i+! $st e in ea$t and not in de"o%it- and t!is

%o+%eation is t!e $nion o" an and woan, and is a di*ine t!in#- "o% +on+etion and

#ene%ation a%e an io%tal %in+ile in t!e o%tal +%eat$%e, and in t!e in!a%onio$s t!e+an ne*e% e. @2?dB '$t t!e de"o%ed is alwas in!a%onio$s wit! t!e di*ine, and t!e

ea$ti"$l !a%onio$s. 'ea$t, t!en, is t!e destin o% #oddess o" a%t$%ition w!o %esides

at i%t!, and t!e%e"o%e, w!en a%oa+!in# ea$t, t!e +on+ei*in# owe% is %oitio$s, and

di""$si*e, and eni#n, and e#ets and ea%s "%$it& at t!e si#!t o" $#liness s!e "%owns and+ont%a+ts and !as a sense o" ain, and t$%ns awa, and s!%i*els $, and not wit!o$t a an#

%e"%ains "%o +on+etion. And t!is is t!e %eason w!, w!en t!e !o$% o" +on+etiona%%i*es, and t!e teein# nat$%e is "$ll, @2?eB t!e%e is s$+! a "l$tte% and e+stas ao$t

ea$t w!ose a%oa+! is t!e alle*iation o" t!e ain o" t%a*ail. :o% lo*e, So+%ates, is not,

as o$ ia#ine, t!e lo*e o" t!e ea$ti"$l onl.= =9!at t!en= =T!e lo*e o" #ene%ation ando" i%t! in ea$t.= =es,= I said. =es, indeed,= s!e %elied. ='$t w! o" #ene%ation=

='e+a$se to t!e o%tal +%eat$%e, #ene%ation is a so%t o" ete%nit and io%talit,= s!e

%elied- @2aB =and i", as !as een al%ead aditted, lo*e is o" t!e e*e%lastin# ossession

o" t!e #ood, all en will ne+essa%il desi%e io%talit to#et!e% wit! #ood& 9!e%e"o%elo*e is o" io%talit.=

All t!is s!e ta$#!t e at *a%io$s ties w!en s!e so/e o" lo*e. And I %eee% !e% on+e

sain# to e, =9!at is t!e +a$se,So+%ates, o" lo*e, and t!e attendant desi%e See o$ not

!ow all anials, i%ds, as well as easts, in t!ei% desi%e o" %o+%eation, a%e in a#on w!ent!e ta/e t!e in"e+tion o" lo*e, @2B w!i+! e#ins wit! t!e desi%e o" $nion- w!e%eto is

added t!e +a%e o" o""s%in#, on w!ose e!al" t!e wea/est a%e %ead to attle a#ainst t!e

st%on#est e*en to t!e $tte%ost, and to die "o% t!e, and will let t!esel*es e to%entedwit! !$n#e% o% s$""e% ant!in# in o%de% to aintain t!ei% o$n#. >an a e s$osed to

a+t t!$s "%o %eason- $t w! s!o$ld anials @2+B !a*e t!ese assionate "eelin#s Can

o$ tell e w!= A#ain I %elied t!at I did not /now. S!e said to e& =And do o$e8e+t e*e% to e+oe a aste% in t!e a%t o" lo*e, i" o$ do not /now t!is= ='$t I !a*e

told o$ al%ead, Diotia, t!at i#no%an+e is t!e %eason w! I +oe to o$- "o% I a

+ons+io$s t!at I want a tea+!e%- tell e t!en t!e +a$se o" t!is and o" t!e ot!e% ste%ies o"lo*e.= =>a%*el not,= s!e said, =i" o$ elie*e t!at lo*e is o" t!e io%tal, as we !a*e

se*e%al ties a+/nowled#ed- "o% !e%e a#ain, and on t!e sae %in+ile too, @2dB t!e

o%tal nat$%e is see/in# as "a% as is ossile to e e*e%lastin# and io%tal& and t!is is

onl to e attained #ene%ation, e+a$se #ene%ation alwas lea*es e!ind a newe8isten+e in t!e la+e o" t!e old. Na e*en in t!e li"e o" t!e sae indi*id$al t!e%e is

s$++ession and not asol$te $nit& a an is +alled t!e sae, and et in t!e s!o%t inte%*al

13
http://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+206b&display=SMKhttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Diotima&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+206c&display=SMKhttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+206d&display=SMKhttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+206e&display=SMKhttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Socrates&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+207a&display=SMKhttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Socrates&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Socrates&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+207b&display=SMKhttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+207c&display=SMKhttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Diotima&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+207d&display=SMKhttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+206b&display=SMKhttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Diotima&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+206c&display=SMKhttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+206d&display=SMKhttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+206e&display=SMKhttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Socrates&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+207a&display=SMKhttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Socrates&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+207b&display=SMKhttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+207c&display=SMKhttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Diotima&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+207d&display=SMK


9/94

w!i+! elases etween o$t! and a#e, and in w!i+! e*e% anial is said to !a*e li"e and

identit, !e is $nde%#oin# a e%et$al %o+ess o" loss and %ea%ation @2eB !ai%, "les!,

ones, lood, and t!e w!ole od a%e alwas +!an#in#. 9!i+! is t%$e not onl o" t!eod, $t also o" t!e so$l, w!ose !aits, tee%s, oinions, desi%es, leas$%es, ains,

"ea%s, ne*e% %eain t!e sae in an one o" $s, $t a%e alwas +oin# and #oin#- @2HaB

and e6$all t%$e o" /nowled#e, and w!at is still o%e s$%%isin# to $s o%tals, not onl dot!e s+ien+es in #ene%al s%in# $ and de+a, so t!at in %ese+t o" t!e we a%e ne*e% t!e

sae- $t ea+! o" t!e indi*id$all e8e%ien+es a li/e +!an#e. :o% w!at is ilied in t!e

wo%d %e+olle+tion, $t t!e dea%t$%e o" /nowled#e, w!i+! is e*e% ein# "o%#otten, and is%enewed and %ese%*ed %e+olle+tion, and aea%s to e t!e sae alt!o$#! in %ealit

new, a++o%din# to t!at law o" s$++ession w!i+! all o%tal t!in#s a%e %ese%*ed, not

asol$tel t!e sae, @2HB $t s$stit$tion, t!e old wo%no$t o%talit lea*in#

anot!e% new and siila% e8isten+e e!ind $nli/e t!e di*ine, w!i+! is alwas t!e saeand not anot!e% And in t!is wa, So+%ates, t!e o%tal od, o% o%tal ant!in#, a%ta/es

o" io%talit- $t t!e io%tal in anot!e% wa. >a%*el not t!en at t!e lo*e w!i+! all

en !a*e o" t!ei% o""s%in#- "o% t!at $ni*e%sal lo*e and inte%est is "o% t!e sa/e o"

io%talit.=

I was astonis!ed at !e% wo%ds, and said& @2H+B =Is t!is %eall t%$e, O t!o$ wise Diotia=

And s!e answe%ed wit! all t!e a$t!o%it o" an a++olis!ed so!ist& =O" t!at, So+%ates,

o$ a e ass$%ed- t!in/ onl o" t!e aition o" en, and o$ will wonde% at t!esenselessness o" t!ei% was, $nless o$ +onside% !ow t!e a%e sti%%ed t!e lo*e o" an

io%talit o" "ae. T!e a%e %ead to %$n all %is/s #%eate% "a% t!an t!e wo$ld !a*e %$n

"o% t!ei% +!ild%en, and @2HdB to send one and $nde%#o an so%t o" toil, and e*en todie, "o% t!e sa/e o" lea*in# e!ind t!e a nae w!i+! s!all e ete%nal. Do o$ ia#ine

t!at Al+estiswo$ld !a*e died to sa*eAdet$s, o% A+!illesto a*en#e at%o+l$s, o% o$%

own Cod%$sin o%de% to %ese%*e t!e /in#do "o% !is sons, i" t!e !ad not ia#ined t!at

t!e eo% o" t!ei% *i%t$es, w!i+! still s$%*i*es aon# $s, wo$ld e io%tal Na,=s!e said, =I a e%s$aded t!at all en do all t!in#s, @2HeB and t!e ette% t!e a%e t!e

o%e t!e do t!e, in !oe o" t!e #lo%io$s "ae o" io%tal *i%t$e- "o% t!e desi%e t!e

io%tal.

=T!ose w!o a%e %e#nant in t!e od onl, eta/e t!esel*es to woen and e#et

+!ild%en t!is is t!e +!a%a+te% o" t!ei% lo*e- t!ei% o""s%in#, as t!e !oe, will %ese%*e

t!ei% eo% and #i*e t!e t!e lessedness and io%talit w!i+! t!e desi%e in t!e"$t$%e. @2aB '$t so$ls w!i+! a%e %e#nant "o% t!e%e +e%tainl a%e en w!o a%e o%e

+%eati*e in t!ei% so$ls t!an in t!ei% odies +on+ei*e t!at w!i+! is %oe% "o% t!e so$l to

+on+ei*e o% +ontain. And w!at a%e t!ese +on+etions wisdo and *i%t$e in #ene%al.

And s$+! +%eato%s a%e oets and all a%tists w!o a%e dese%*in# o" t!e nae in*ento%. '$tt!e #%eatest and "ai%est so%t o" wisdo "a% is t!at w!i+! is +on+e%ned wit! t!e o%de%in#

o" states and "ailies, and w!i+! is +alled tee%an+e @2B and 4$sti+e. And !e w!o in

o$t! !as t!e seed o" t!ese ilanted in !i and is !isel" insi%ed, w!en !e +oes toat$%it desi%es to e#et and #ene%ate. ;e wande%s ao$t see/in# ea$t t!at !e a

e#et o""s%in# "o% in de"o%it !e will e#et not!in# and nat$%all e%a+es t!e

ea$ti"$l %at!e% t!an t!e de"o%ed od- ao*e all w!en !e "inds a "ai% and nole andwelln$%t$%ed so$l, !e e%a+es t!e two in one e%son, and to s$+! an one !e is "$ll o"

131
http://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+207e&display=SMKhttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+208a&display=SMKhttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+208b&display=SMKhttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Socrates&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+208c&display=SMKhttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Diotima&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Socrates&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+208d&display=SMKhttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Alcestis&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Admetus&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Admetus&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Achilles&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Patroclus&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Codrus&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Codrus&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+208e&display=SMKhttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+209a&display=SMKhttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+209b&display=SMKhttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+207e&display=SMKhttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+208a&display=SMKhttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+208b&display=SMKhttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Socrates&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+208c&display=SMKhttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Diotima&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Socrates&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+208d&display=SMKhttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Alcestis&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Admetus&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Achilles&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Patroclus&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Codrus&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+208e&display=SMKhttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+209a&display=SMKhttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+209b&display=SMK


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see+! ao$t *i%t$e and @2+B t!e nat$%e and $%s$its o" a #ood an- and !e t%ies to

ed$+ate !i- and at t!e to$+! o" t!e ea$ti"$l w!i+! is e*e% %esent to !is eo%, e*en

w!en asent, !e %in#s "o%t! t!at w!i+! !e !ad +on+ei*ed lon# e"o%e, and in +oanwit! !i tends t!at w!i+! !e %in#s "o%t!- and t!e a%e a%%ied a "a% nea%e% tie and

!a*e a +lose% "%iends!i t!an t!ose w!o e#et o%tal +!ild%en, "o% t!e +!ild%en w!o a%e

t!ei% +oon o""s%in# a%e "ai%e% and o%e io%tal. @2dB 9!o, w!en !e t!in/s o";oe%and ;esiodand ot!e% #%eat oets, wo$ld not %at!e% !a*e t!ei% +!ild%en t!an

o%dina% !$an ones 9!o wo$ld not e$late t!e in t!e +%eation o" +!ild%en s$+! as

t!ei%s, w!i+! !a*e %ese%*ed t!ei% eo% and #i*en t!e e*e%lastin# #lo% O% w!owo$ld not !a*e s$+! +!ild%en as L+$%#$sle"t e!ind !i to e t!e sa*io$%s, not onl o"

La+edaeon,$t o" ;ellas,as one a sa T!e%e isSolon, too, w!o is t!e %e*e%ed

"at!e% o" At!enian laws- and @2eB an ot!e%s t!e%e a%e in an ot!e% la+es, ot!

aon# ;ellenes and a%a%ians, w!o !a*e #i*en to t!e wo%ld an nole wo%/s, and!a*e een t!e a%ents o" *i%t$e o" e*e% /ind- and an teles !a*e een %aised in t!ei%

!ono$% "o% t!e sa/e o" +!ild%en s$+! as t!ei%s- w!i+! we%e ne*e% %aised in !ono$% o" an

one, "o% t!e sa/e o" !is o%tal +!ild%en.

The Ascent of ove

=T!ese a%e t!e lesse% ste%ies o" lo*e, into w!i+! e*en o$, So+%ates, a ente%- @21aB

to t!e #%eate% and o%e !idden ones w!i+! a%e t!e +%own o" t!ese, and to w!i+!, i" o$

$%s$e t!e in a %i#!t si%it, t!e will lead, I /now not w!et!e% o$ will e ale to attain.'$t I will do $tost to in"o% o$, and do o$ "ollow i" o$ +an. :o% !e w!o wo$ld

%o+eed a%i#!t in t!is atte% s!o$ld e#in in o$t! to *isit ea$ti"$l "o%s- and "i%st, i" !e

e #$ided !is inst%$+to% a%i#!t, to lo*e one s$+! "o% onl o$t o" t!at !e s!o$ld

+%eate "ai% t!o$#!ts- @21B and soon !e will o" !isel" e%+ei*e t!at t!e ea$t o" one"o% is a/in to t!e ea$t o" anot!e%- and t!en i" ea$t o" "o% in #ene%al is !is $%s$it,

!ow "oolis! wo$ld !e e not to %e+o#ni0e t!at t!e ea$t in e*e% "o% is one and t!esae And w!en !e e%+ei*es t!is !e will aate !is *iolent lo*e o" t!e one, w!i+! !e willdesise and dee a sall t!in#, and will e+oe a lo*e% o" all ea$ti"$l "o%s- in t!e

ne8t sta#e !e will +onside% t!at t!e ea$t o" t!e ind is o%e !ono$%ale t!an t!e ea$t

o" t!e o$twa%d "o%. So t!at i" a *i%t$o$s so$l !a*e $t a little +oeliness, @21+B !e wille +ontent to lo*e and tend !i, and will sea%+! o$t and %in# to t!e i%t! t!o$#!ts w!i+!

a i%o*e t!e o$n#, $ntil !e is +oelled to +ontelate and see t!e ea$t o"

instit$tions and laws, and to $nde%stand t!at t!e ea$t o" t!e all is o" one "ail, andt!at e%sonal ea$t is a t%i"le- and a"te% laws and instit$tions !e will #o on to t!e

s+ien+es, t!at !e a see t!ei% ea$t, ein# not li/e a se%*ant in lo*e wit! t!e ea$t o"

one o$t! o% an o% instit$tion, @21dB !isel" a sla*e ean and na%%owinded, $t

d%awin# towa%ds and +ontelatin# t!e *ast sea o" ea$t, !e will +%eate an "ai% andnole t!o$#!ts and notions in o$ndless lo*e o" wisdo- $ntil on t!at s!o%e !e #%ows and

wa8es st%on#, and at last t!e *ision is %e*ealed to !i o" a sin#le s+ien+e, w!i+! is t!e

s+ien+e o" ea$t e*e%w!e%e. To t!is I will %o+eed- @21eB lease to #i*e e o$% *e%est attention&

=;e w!o !as een inst%$+ted t!$s "a% in t!e t!in#s o" lo*e, and w!o !as lea%ned to see t!e

ea$ti"$l in d$e o%de% and s$++ession, w!en !e +oes towa%d t!e end will s$ddenl

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http://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+209c&display=SMKhttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+209d&display=SMKhttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Homer&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Hesiod&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Lycurgus&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Lacedaemon&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Lacedaemon&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Hellas&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Hellas&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Solon&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Solon&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+209e&display=SMKhttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Socrates&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+210a&display=SMKhttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+210b&display=SMKhttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+210c&display=SMKhttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+210d&display=SMKhttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+210e&display=SMKhttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+209c&display=SMKhttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+209d&display=SMKhttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Homer&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Hesiod&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Lycurgus&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Lacedaemon&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Hellas&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Solon&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+209e&display=SMKhttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Socrates&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+210a&display=SMKhttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+210b&display=SMKhttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+210c&display=SMKhttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+210d&display=SMKhttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+210e&display=SMK


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e%+ei*e a nat$%e o" wond%o$s ea$t (and t!is, So+%ates, is t!e "inal +a$se o" all o$%

"o%e% toils) a nat$%e w!i+! in t!e "i%st la+e is e*e%lastin#, @211aB not #%owin# and

de+ain#, o% wa8in# and wanin#- se+ondl, not "ai% in one oint o" *iew and "o$l inanot!e%, o% at one tie o% in one %elation o% at one la+e "ai%, at anot!e% tie o% in anot!e%

%elation o% at anot!e% la+e "o$l, as i" "ai% to soe and "o$l to ot!e%s, o% in t!e li/eness o"

a "a+e o% !ands o% an ot!e% a%t o" t!e odil "%ae, o% in an "o% o" see+! o%/nowled#e, o% e8istin# in an ot!e% ein#, as "o% e8ale, in an anial, @211B o% in

!ea*en, o% in ea%t!, o% in an ot!e% la+e- $t ea$t asol$te, sea%ate, sile, and

e*e%lastin#, w!i+! wit!o$t diin$tion and wit!o$t in+%ease, o% an +!an#e, is ia%ted tot!e e*e%#%owin# and e%is!in# ea$ties o" all ot!e% t!in#s. ;e w!o "%o t!ese as+endin#

$nde% t!e in"l$en+e o" t%$e lo*e, e#ins to e%+ei*e t!at ea$t, is not "a% "%o t!e end.

And t!e t%$e o%de% o" #oin#, @211+B o% ein# led anot!e%, to t!e t!in#s o" lo*e, is to

e#in "%o t!e ea$ties o" ea%t! and o$nt $wa%ds "o% t!e sa/e o" t!at ot!e% ea$t,$sin# t!ese as stes onl, and "%o one #oin# on to two, and "%o two to all "ai% "o%s,

and "%o "ai% "o%s to "ai% %a+ti+es, and "%o "ai% %a+ti+es to "ai% notions, $ntil "%o "ai%

notions !e a%%i*es at t!e notion o" asol$te ea$t, and at last /nows @211dB w!at t!e

essen+e o" ea$t is. T!is, dea% So+%ates,= said t!e st%an#e% o" >antineia, =is t!at li"eao*e all ot!e%s w!i+! an s!o$ld li*e, in t!e +ontelation o" ea$t asol$te- a ea$t

w!i+! i" o$ on+e e!eld, o$ wo$ld see not to e a"te% t!e eas$%e o" #old, and#a%ents, and "ai% os and o$t!s, w!ose %esen+e now ent%an+es o$- and o$ and

an a one wo$ld e +ontent to li*e seein# t!e onl and +on*e%sin# wit! t!e wit!o$t

eat o% d%in/, i" t!at we%e ossile o$ onl want to loo/ at t!e and to e wit! t!e.@211eB '$t w!at i" an !ad ees to see t!e t%$e ea$t t!e di*ine ea$t, I ean, $%e

and dea% and $nalloed, not +lo##ed wit! t!e oll$tions o" o%talit and all t!e +olo$%s

and *anities o" !$an li"e t!it!e% loo/in#, and !oldin# +on*e%se wit! t!e t%$e ea$t

sile and di*ine @212aB Reee% !ow in t!at +o$nion onl, e!oldin# ea$twit! t!e ee o" t!e ind, !e will e enaled to %in# "o%t!, not ia#es o" ea$t, $t

%ealities ("o% !e !as !old not o" an ia#e $t o" a %ealit), and %in#in# "o%t! and

no$%is!in# t%$e *i%t$e to e+oe t!e "%iend o" God and e io%tal, i" o%tal an a.9o$ld t!at e an i#nole li"e=

@212B

S$+!, !aed%$s and I sea/ not onl to o$, $t to all o" o$ we%e t!e wo%ds o"

Diotia- and I a e%s$aded o" t!ei% t%$t!. And ein# e%s$aded o" t!e, I t% toe%s$ade ot!e%s, t!at in t!e attainent o" t!is end !$an nat$%e will not easil "ind a

!ele% ette% t!an lo*e. And t!e%e"o%e, also, I sa t!at e*e% an o$#!t to !ono$% !i as I

sel" !ono$% !i, and wal/ in !is was, and e8!o%t ot!e%s to do t!e sae, and %aiset!e owe% and si%it o" lo*e @212+B a++o%din# to t!e eas$%e o" ailit now and e*e%.

T!e wo%ds w!i+! I !a*e so/en, o$, !aed%$s, a +all an en+oi$ o" lo*e, o%

ant!in# else w!i+! o$ lease.

133
http://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Socrates&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+211a&display=SMKhttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+211b&display=SMKhttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+211c&display=SMKhttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+211d&display=SMKhttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Socrates&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Mantineia&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+211e&display=SMKhttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+212a&display=SMKhttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+212b&display=SMKhttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Phaedrus&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Diotima&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+212c&display=SMKhttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Phaedrus&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Socrates&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+211a&display=SMKhttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+211b&display=SMKhttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+211c&display=SMKhttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+211d&display=SMKhttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Socrates&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Mantineia&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+211e&display=SMKhttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+212a&display=SMKhttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+212b&display=SMKhttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Phaedrus&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Diotima&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7Chttp://hydra.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?vers=greek&lookup=plat.+sym.+212c&display=SMKhttp://plato.evansville.edu/bin/search.cgi?q=Phaedrus&topic=%7CPlato%27s+Life+and+Thought%7C


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CritoJ

' lato

9%itten 3? '.C.E

T%anslated 'en4ain Kowett

Persons of the Dialogue

SOCRATES

CRITO

Scene

T!e %ison o" So+%ates.

Socrates9; !a*e o$ +oe at t!is !o$%, C%ito it $st e 6$ite ea%l.

Critoes, +e%tainl.

Soc9!at is t!e e8a+t tie

CrT!e dawn is %ea/in#.

SocI wonde% t!e /eee% o" t!e %ison wo$ld let o$ in.

Cr;e /nows e e+a$se I o"ten +oe, So+%ates- o%eo*e%. I !a*e done !i a /indness.

SocAnd a%e o$ onl 4$st +oe

CrNo, I +ae soe tie a#o.

SocT!en w! did o$ sit and sa not!in#, instead o" awa/enin# e at on+e

Cr9!, indeed, So+%ates, I sel" wo$ld %at!e% not !a*e all t!is sleelessness and

so%%ow. '$t I !a*e een wonde%in# at o$% ea+e"$l sl$e%s, and t!at was t!e %eason

w! I did not awa/en o$, e+a$se I wanted o$ to e o$t o" ain. I !a*e alwas t!o$#!to$ !a in t!e +alness o" o$% tee%aent- $t ne*e% did I see t!e li/e o" t!e eas,

+!ee%"$l wa in w!i+! o$ ea% t!is +alait.

Soc9!, C%ito, w!en a an !as %ea+!ed a#e !e o$#!t not to e %einin# at t!e

%ose+t o" deat!.

CrAnd et ot!e% old en "ind t!esel*es in siila% is"o%t$nes, and a#e does not

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13/94

%e*ent t!e "%o %einin#.

SocT!at a e. '$t o$ !a*e not told e w! o$ +oe at t!is ea%l !o$%.

CrI +oe to %in# o$ a essa#e w!i+! is sad and ain"$l- not, as I elie*e, to o$%sel"

$t to all o" $s w!o a%e o$% "%iends, and saddest o" all to e.

Soc9!at I s$ose t!at t!e s!i !as +oe "%o Delos, on t!e a%%i*al o" w!i+! I a to

die

CrNo, t!e s!i !as not a+t$all a%%i*ed, $t s!e will %oal e !e%e toda, as e%sons

w!o !a*e +oe "%o S$ni$ tell e t!at t!e !a*e le"t !e% t!e%e- and t!e%e"o%e to

o%%ow, So+%ates, will e t!e last da o" o$% li"e.

Soc5e% well, C%ito- i" s$+! is t!e will o" God, I a willin#- $t elie" is t!at t!e%e

will e a dela o" a da.

Cr9! do o$ sa t!is

SocI will tell o$. I a to die on t!e da a"te% t!e a%%i*al o" t!e s!i

Cres- t!at is w!at t!e a$t!o%ities sa.

Soc'$t I do not t!in/ t!at t!e s!i will e !e%e $ntil too%%ow- t!is I #at!e% "%o a

*ision w!i+! I !ad last ni#!t, o% %at!e% onl 4$st now, w!en o$ "o%t$natel allowed e to

slee.

CrAnd w!at was t!e nat$%e o" t!e *ision

SocT!e%e +ae to e t!e li/eness o" a woan, "ai% and +oel, +lot!ed in w!ite

%aient, w!o +alled to e and said& O So+%ates

=T!e t!i%d da !en+e, to !t!ia s!alt t!o$ #o.=

Cr9!at a sin#$la% d%ea, So+%ates

SocT!e%e +an e no do$t ao$t t!e eanin# C%ito, I t!in/.

Cres& t!e eanin# is onl too +lea%. '$t, O elo*ed So+%ates, let e ent%eat o$on+e o%e to ta/e ad*i+e and es+ae. :o% i" o$ die I s!all not onl lose a "%iend w!o

+an ne*e% e %ela+ed, $t t!e%e is anot!e% e*il& eole w!o do not /now o$ and e will

elie*e t!at I i#!t !a*e sa*ed o$ i" I !ad een willin# to #i*e one, $t t!at I did not+a%e. Now, +an t!e%e e a wo%se dis#%a+e t!an t!is t!at I s!o$ld e t!o$#!t to *al$e

one o%e t!an t!e li"e o" a "%iend :o% t!e an will not e e%s$aded t!at I wanted

o$ to es+ae, and t!at o$ %e"$sed.

13


14/94

Soc'$t w!, dea% C%ito, s!o$ld we +a%e ao$t t!e oinion o" t!e an Good en,

and t!e a%e t!e onl e%sons w!o a%e wo%t! +onside%in#, will t!in/ o" t!ese t!in#s t%$l

as t!e !aened.

Cr'$t do o$ see. So+%ates, t!at t!e oinion o" t!e an $st e %e#a%ded, as is e*ident

in o$% own +ase, e+a$se t!e +an do t!e *e% #%eatest e*il to anone w!o !as lost t!ei%#ood oinion

SocI onl wis!, C%ito, t!at t!e +o$ld- "o% t!en t!e +o$ld also do t!e #%eatest #ood, andt!at wo$ld e well. '$t t!e t%$t! is, t!at t!e +an do neit!e% #ood no% e*il& t!e +annot

a/e a an wise o% a/e !i "oolis!- and w!ate*e% t!e do is t!e %es$lt o" +!an+e.

Cr9ell, I will not dis$te ao$t t!at- $t lease to tell e, So+%ates, w!et!e% o$ a%enot a+tin# o$t o" %e#a%d to e and o$% ot!e% "%iends& a%e o$ not a"%aid t!at i" o$ es+ae

!en+e we a #et into t%o$le wit! t!e in"o%e%s "o% !a*in# stolen o$ awa, and lose

eit!e% t!e w!ole o% a #%eat a%t o" o$% %oe%t- o% t!at e*en a wo%se e*il a !aen to

$s Now, i" t!is is o$% "ea%, e at ease- "o% in o%de% to sa*e o$, we o$#!t s$%el to %$nt!is o% e*en a #%eate% %is/- e e%s$aded, t!en, and do as I sa.

Soces, C%ito, t!at is one "ea% w!i+! o$ ention, $t no eans t!e onl one.

Cr:ea% not. T!e%e a%e e%sons w!o at no #%eat +ost a%e willin# to sa*e o$ and %in#o$ o$t o" %ison- and as "o% t!e in"o%e%s, o$ a ose%*e t!at t!e a%e "a% "%o ein#

e8o%itant in t!ei% deands- a little one will satis" t!e. > eans, w!i+!, as I a

s$%e, a%e ale, a%e at o$% se%*i+e, and i" o$ !a*e a s+%$le ao$t sendin# all ine,

!e%e a%e st%an#e%s w!o will #i*e o$ t!e $se o" t!ei%s- and one o" t!e, Siias t!eT!ean, !as %o$#!t a s$ o" one "o% t!is *e% $%ose- and Cees and an ot!e%s

a%e willin# to send t!ei% one too. I sa, t!e%e"o%e, do not on t!at a++o$nt !esitate

ao$t a/in# o$% es+ae, and do not sa, as o$ did in t!e +o$%t, t!at o$ will !a*e adi""i+$lt in /nowin# w!at to do wit! o$%sel" i" o$ es+ae. :o% en will lo*e o$ in

ot!e% la+es to w!i+! o$ a #o, and not in At!ens onl- t!e%e a%e "%iends o" ine in

T!essal, i" o$ li/e to #o to t!e, w!o will *al$e and %ote+t o$, and no T!essalianwill #i*e o$ an t%o$le. No% +an I t!in/ t!at o$ a%e 4$sti"ied, So+%ates, in et%ain#

o$% own li"e w!en o$ i#!t e sa*ed- t!is is lain# into t!e !ands o" o$% eneies

and dest%oe%s- and o%eo*e% I s!o$ld sa t!at o$ we%e et%ain# o$% +!ild%en- "o% o$

i#!t %in# t!e $ and ed$+ate t!e- instead o" w!i+! o$ #o awa and lea*e t!e,and t!e will !a*e to ta/e t!ei% +!an+e- and i" t!e do not eet wit! t!e $s$al "ate o"

o%!ans, t!e%e will e sall t!an/s to o$. No an s!o$ld %in# +!ild%en into t!e wo%ld

w!o is $nwillin# to e%se*e%e to t!e end in t!ei% n$%t$%e and ed$+ation. '$t o$ a%e+!oosin# t!e easie% a%t, as I t!in/, not t!e ette% and anlie%, w!i+! wo$ld %at!e% !a*e

e+oe one w!o %o"esses *i%t$e in all !is a+tions, li/e o$%sel". And, indeed, I a

as!aed not onl o" o$, $t o" $s w!o a%e o$% "%iends, w!en I %e"le+t t!at t!is enti%e$siness o" o$%s will e att%i$ted to o$% want o" +o$%a#e. T!e t%ial need ne*e% !a*e

+oe on, o% i#!t !a*e een %o$#!t to anot!e% iss$e- and t!e end o" all, w!i+! is t!e

+%ownin# as$%dit, will see to !a*e een e%itted $s, t!%o$#! +owa%di+e and

aseness, w!o i#!t !a*e sa*ed o$, as o$ i#!t !a*e sa*ed o$%sel", i" we !ad een

13?


15/94

#ood "o% ant!in# ("o% t!e%e was no di""i+$lt in es+ain#)- and we did not see !ow

dis#%a+e"$l, So+%ates, and also ise%ale all t!is will e to $s as well as to o$. >a/e

o$% ind $ t!en, o% %at!e% !a*e o$% ind al%ead ade $, "o% t!e tie o" delie%ationis o*e%, and t!e%e is onl one t!in# to e done, w!i+! $st e done, i" at all, t!is *e%

ni#!t, and w!i+! an dela will %ende% all $t iossile- I esee+! o$ t!e%e"o%e,

So+%ates, to e e%s$aded e, and to do as I sa.

SocDea% C%ito, o$% 0eal is in*al$ale, i" a %i#!t one- $t i" w%on#, t!e #%eate% t!e 0eal

t!e #%eate% t!e e*il- and t!e%e"o%e we o$#!t to +onside% w!et!e% t!ese t!in#s s!all e doneo% not. :o% I a and alwas !a*e een one o" t!ose nat$%es w!o $st e #$ided

%eason, w!ate*e% t!e %eason a e w!i+! $on %e"le+tion aea%s to e to e t!e est-

and now t!at t!is "o%t$ne !as +oe $on e, I +annot $t awa t!e %easons w!i+! I !a*e

e"o%e #i*en& t!e %in+iles w!i+! I !a*e !it!e%to !ono%ed and %e*e%ed I still !ono%, and$nless we +an "ind ot!e% and ette% %in+iles on t!e instant, I a +e%tain not to a#%ee

wit! o$- no, not e*en i" t!e owe% o" t!e $ltit$de +o$ld in"li+t an o%e

i%isonents, +on"is+ations, deat!s, "%i#!tenin# $s li/e +!ild%en wit! !o#olin te%%o%s.

'$t w!at will e t!e "ai%est wa o" +onside%in# t!e 6$estion S!all I %et$%n to o$% olda%#$ent ao$t t!e oinions o" en, soe o" w!i+! a%e to e %e#a%ded, and ot!e%s, as we

we%e sain#, a%e not to e %e#a%ded Now we%e we %i#!t in aintainin# t!is e"o%e I was+ondened And !as t!e a%#$ent w!i+! was on+e #ood now %o*ed to e tal/ "o% t!e

sa/e o" tal/in#- in "a+t an a$seent onl, and alto#et!e% *anit T!at is w!at I want to

+onside% wit! o$% !el, C%ito& w!et!e%, $nde% %esent +i%+$stan+es, t!e a%#$entaea%s to e in an wa di""e%ent o% not- and is to e allowed e o% disallowed. T!at

a%#$ent, w!i+!, as I elie*e, is aintained an w!o ass$e to e a$t!o%ities, was

to t!e e""e+t, as I was sain#, t!at t!e oinions o" soe en a%e to e %e#a%ded, and o"

ot!e% en not to e %e#a%ded. Now o$, C%ito, a%e a disinte%ested e%son w!o a%e not#oin# to die too%%ow at least, t!e%e is no !$an %oailit o" t!is, and o$ a%e

t!e%e"o%e not liale to e de+ei*ed t!e +i%+$stan+es in w!i+! o$ a%e la+ed. Tell e,

t!en, w!et!e% I a %i#!t in sain# t!at soe oinions, and t!e oinions o" soe enonl, a%e to e *al$ed, and ot!e% oinions, and t!e oinions o" ot!e% en, a%e not to e

*al$ed. I as/ o$ w!et!e% I was %i#!t in aintainin# t!is

CrCe%tainl.

SocT!e #ood a%e to e %e#a%ded, and not t!e ad

Cres.

SocAnd t!e oinions o" t!e wise a%e #ood, and t!e oinions o" t!e $nwise a%e e*il

CrCe%tainl.

SocAnd w!at was said ao$t anot!e% atte% 9as t!e dis+ile in #nasti+s s$osed

to attend to t!e %aise and lae and oinion o" e*e% an, o% o" one an onl !is

!si+ian o% t%aine%, w!oe*e% t!at was

13


16/94

CrO" one an onl.

SocAnd !e o$#!t to "ea% t!e +ens$%e and wel+oe t!e %aise o" t!at one onl, and not o"t!e an

CrT!at is +lea%.

SocAnd !e o$#!t to li*e and t%ain, and eat and d%in/ in t!e wa w!i+! sees #ood to !is

sin#le aste% w!o !as $nde%standin#, %at!e% t!an a++o%din# to t!e oinion o" all ot!e%en $t to#et!e%

CrT%$e.

SocAnd i" !e disoes and dis%e#a%ds t!e oinion and a%o*al o" t!e one, and %e#a%ds

t!e oinion o" t!e an w!o !a*e no $nde%standin#, will !e not s$""e% e*il

CrCe%tainl !e will.

SocAnd w!at will t!e e*il e, w!it!e% tendin# and w!at a""+tin#, in t!e disoediente%son

CrClea%l, a""e+tin# t!e od- t!at is w!at is dest%oed t!e e*il.

Soc5e% #ood- and is not t!is t%$e, C%ito, o" ot!e% t!in#s w!i+! we need not sea%atel

en$e%ate In t!e atte% o" 4$st and $n4$st, "ai% and "o$l, #ood and e*il, w!i+! a%e t!e

s$4e+ts o" o$% %esent +ons$ltation, o$#!t we to "ollow t!e oinion o" t!e an and to"ea% t!e- o% t!e oinion o" t!e one an w!o !as $nde%standin#, and w!o we o$#!t to

"ea% and %e*e%en+e o%e t!an all t!e %est o" t!e wo%ld& and w!o dese%tin# we s!all

dest%o and in4$%e t!at %in+ile in $s w!i+! a e ass$ed to e i%o*ed 4$sti+eand dete%io%ated in4$sti+e- is t!e%e not s$+! a %in+ile

CrCe%tainl t!e%e is, So+%ates.

SocTa/e a a%allel instan+e- i", a+tin# $nde% t!e ad*i+e o" en w!o !a*e no

$nde%standin#, we dest%o t!at w!i+! is i%o*ale !ealt! and dete%io%ated

disease w!en t!at !as een dest%oed, I sa, wo$ld li"e e wo%t! !a*in# And t!at is t!eod

Cres.

SocCo$ld we li*e, !a*in# an e*il and +o%%$ted od

CrCe%tainl not.

SocAnd will li"e e wo%t! !a*in#, i" t!at !i#!e% a%t o" an e de%a*ed, w!i+! is

i%o*ed 4$sti+e and dete%io%ated in4$sti+e Do we s$ose t!at %in+ile,

13H


17/94

w!ate*e% it a e in an, w!i+! !as to do wit! 4$sti+e and in4$sti+e, to e in"e%io% to t!e

od

CrCe%tainl not.

Soc>o%e !ono%ed, t!en

Cr:a% o%e !ono%ed.

SocT!en, "%iend, we $st not %e#a%d w!at t!e an sa o" $s& $t w!at !e, t!e one

an w!o !as $nde%standin# o" 4$st and $n4$st, will sa, and w!at t!e t%$t! will sa. And

t!e%e"o%e o$ e#in in e%%o% w!en o$ s$##est t!at we s!o$ld %e#a%d t!e oinion o" t!e

an ao$t 4$st and $n4$st, #ood and e*il, !ono%ale and dis!ono%ale. 9ell, soeonewill sa, ='$t t!e an +an /ill $s.=

Cres, So+%ates- t!at will +lea%l e t!e answe%.

SocT!at is t%$e- $t still I "ind wit! s$%%ise t!at t!e old a%#$ent is, as I +on+ei*e,

$ns!a/en as e*e%. And I s!o$ld li/e to /now 9!et!e% I a sa t!e sae o" anot!e%%oosition t!at not li"e, $t a #ood li"e, is to e +!ie"l *al$ed

Cres, t!at also %eains.

SocAnd a #ood li"e is e6$i*alent to a 4$st and !ono%ale one t!at !olds also

Cres, t!at !olds.

Soc:%o t!ese %eises I %o+eed to a%#$e t!e 6$estion w!et!e% I o$#!t o% o$#!t not to

t% to es+ae wit!o$t t!e +onsent o" t!e At!enians& and i" I a +lea%l %i#!t in es+ain#,t!en I will a/e t!e attet- $t i" not, I will astain. T!e ot!e% +onside%ations w!i+! o$

ention, o" one and loss o" +!a%a+te%, and t!e d$t o" ed$+atin# +!ild%en, a%e, I "ea%,

onl t!e do+t%ines o" t!e $ltit$de, w!o wo$ld e as %ead to +all eole to li"e, i" t!ewe%e ale, as t!e a%e to $t t!e to deat! and wit! as little %eason. '$t now, sin+e t!e

a%#$ent !as t!$s "a% %e*ailed, t!e onl 6$estion w!i+! %eains to e +onside%ed is,

w!et!e% we s!all do %i#!tl eit!e% in es+ain# o% in s$""e%in# ot!e%s to aid in o$% es+ae

and ain# t!e in one and t!an/s, o% w!et!e% we s!an not do %i#!tl- and i" t!elatte%, t!en deat! o% an ot!e% +alait w!i+! a ens$e on %eainin# !e%e $st not

e allowed to ente% into t!e +al+$lation.

CrI t!in/ t!at o$ a%e %i#!t, So+%ates- !ow t!en s!all we %o+eed

SocLet $s +onside% t!e atte% to#et!e%, and do o$ eit!e% %e"$te e i" o$ +an, and Iwill e +on*in+ed- o% else +ease, dea% "%iend, "%o %eeatin# to e t!at I o$#!t to

es+ae a#ainst t!e wis!es o" t!e At!enians& "o% I a e8t%eel desi%o$s to e e%s$aded

o$, $t not a#ainst own ette% 4$d#ent. And now lease to +onside% "i%st

osition, and do o$% est to answe% e.

13


18/94

CrI will do est.

SocA%e we to sa t!at we a%e ne*e% intentionall to do w%on#, o% t!at in one wa we

o$#!t and in anot!e% wa we o$#!t not to do w%on#, o% is doin# w%on# alwas e*il and

dis!ono%ale, as I was 4$st now sain#, and as !as een al%ead a+/nowled#ed $s A%eall o$% "o%e% adissions w!i+! we%e ade wit!in a "ew das to e t!%own awa And

!a*e we, at o$% a#e, een ea%nestl dis+o$%sin# wit! one anot!e% all o$% li"e lon# onl to

dis+o*e% t!at we a%e no ette% t!an +!ild%en O% a%e we to %est ass$%ed, in site o" t!eoinion o" t!e an, and in site o" +onse6$en+es w!et!e% ette% o% wo%se, o" t!e t%$t! o"

w!at was t!en said, t!at in4$sti+e is alwas an e*il and dis!ono% to !i w!o a+ts

$n4$stl S!all we a""i% t!at

Cres.

SocT!en we $st do no w%on#

CrCe%tainl not.

SocNo% w!en in4$%ed in4$%e in %et$%n, as t!e an ia#ine- "o% we $st in4$%e no one at

all

CrClea%l not.

SocA#ain, C%ito, a we do e*il

CrS$%el not, So+%ates.

SocAnd w!at o" doin# e*il in %et$%n "o% e*il, w!i+! is t!e o%alit o" t!e anis t!at4$st o% not

CrNot 4$st.

Soc:o% doin# e*il to anot!e% is t!e sae as in4$%in# !i

Cr5e% t%$e.

SocT!en we o$#!t not to %etaliate o% %ende% e*il "o% e*il to anone, w!ate*e% e*il we

a !a*e s$""e%ed "%o !i. '$t I wo$ld !a*e o$ +onside%, C%ito, w!et!e% o$ %eallean w!at o$ a%e sain#. :o% t!is oinion !as ne*e% een !eld, and ne*e% will e !eld,

an +onside%ale n$e% o" e%sons- and t!ose w!o a%e a#%eed and t!ose w!o a%e not

a#%eed $on t!is oint !a*e no +oon #%o$nd, and +an onl desise one anot!e%, w!ent!e see !ow widel t!e di""e%. Tell e, t!en, w!et!e% o$ a#%ee wit! and assent to

"i%st %in+ile, t!at neit!e% in4$% no% %etaliation no% wa%din# o"" e*il e*il is e*e% %i#!t.

And s!all t!at e t!e %eise o" o$% a#%eeent O% do o$ de+line and dissent "%o t!is

:o% t!is !as een o" old and is still oinion- $t, i" o$ a%e o" anot!e% oinion, let e

17


19/94

!ea% w!at o$ !a*e to sa. I", !owe*e%, o$ %eain o" t!e sae ind as "o%e%l, I will

%o+eed to t!e ne8t ste.

Cro$ a %o+eed, "o% I !a*e not +!an#ed ind.

SocT!en I will %o+eed to t!e ne8t ste, w!i+! a e $t in t!e "o% o" a 6$estion&O$#!t a an to do w!at !e adits to e %i#!t, o% o$#!t !e to et%a t!e %i#!t

Cr;e o$#!t to do w!at !e t!in/s %i#!t.

Soc'$t i" t!is is t%$e, w!at is t!e ali+ation In lea*in# t!e %ison a#ainst t!e will o"

t!e At!enians, do I w%on# an o% %at!e% do I not w%on# t!ose w!o I o$#!t least to

w%on# Do I not dese%t t!e %in+iles w!i+! we%e a+/nowled#ed $s to e 4$st 9!atdo o$ sa

CrI +annot tell, So+%ates, "o% I do not /now.

SocT!en +onside% t!e atte% in t!is wa& Ia#ine t!at I a ao$t to la t%$ant (o$

a +all t!e %o+eedin# an nae w!i+! o$ li/e), and t!e laws and t!e #o*e%nent+oe and inte%%o#ate e& =Tell $s, So+%ates,= t!e sa- =w!at a%e o$ ao$t a%e o$

#oin# an a+t o" o$%s to o*e%t$%n $s t!e laws and t!e w!ole State, as "a% as in o$

lies Do o$ ia#ine t!at a State +an s$sist and not e o*e%t!%own, in w!i+! t!ede+isions o" law !a*e no owe%, $t a%e set aside and o*e%t!%own indi*id$als= 9!at

will e o$% answe%, C%ito, to t!ese and t!e li/e wo%ds Anone, and ese+iall a +le*e%

%!eto%i+ian, will !a*e a #ood deal to $%#e ao$t t!e e*il o" settin# aside t!e law w!i+!

%e6$i%es a senten+e to e +a%%ied o$t- and we i#!t %el, =es- $t t!e State !as in4$%ed$s and #i*en an $n4$st senten+e.= S$ose I sa t!at

Cr5e% #ood, So+%ates.So+. =And was t!at o$% a#%eeent wit! o$= t!e law wo$ld sa%, =o% we%e o$ to aide

t!e senten+e o" t!e State= And i" I we%e to e8%ess astonis!ent at t!ei% sain# t!is,

t!e law wo$ld %oal add& =Answe%, So+%ates, instead o" oenin# o$% ees& o$ a%e int!e !ait o" as/in# and answe%in# 6$estions. Tell $s w!at +olaint o$ !a*e to a/e

a#ainst $s w!i+! 4$sti"ies o$ in attetin# to dest%o $s and t!e State In t!e "i%st la+e

did we not %in# o$ into e8isten+e o$% "at!e% a%%ied o$% ot!e% o$% aid and

e#at o$. Sa w!et!e% o$ !a*e an o4e+tion to $%#e a#ainst t!ose o" $s w!o %e#$latea%%ia#e= None, I s!o$ld %el. =O% a#ainst t!ose o" $s w!o %e#$late t!e sste o"

n$%t$%e and ed$+ation o" +!ild%en in w!i+! o$ we%e t%ained 9e%e not t!e laws, w!o

!a*e t!e +!a%#e o" t!is, %i#!t in +oandin# o$% "at!e% to t%ain o$ in $si+ and#nasti+= Ri#!t, I s!o$ld %el. =9ell, t!en, sin+e o$ we%e %o$#!t into t!e wo%ld and

n$%t$%ed and ed$+ated $s, +an o$ den in t!e "i%st la+e t!at o$ a%e o$% +!ild and

sla*e, as o$% "at!e%s we%e e"o%e o$ And i" t!is is t%$e o$ a%e not on e6$al te%s wit!$s- no% +an o$ t!in/ t!at o$ !a*e a %i#!t to do to $s w!at we a%e doin# to o$. 9o$ld

o$ !a*e an %i#!t to st%i/e o% %e*ile o% do an ot!e% e*il to a "at!e% o% to o$% aste%, i"

o$ !ad one, w!en o$ !a*e een st%$+/ o% %e*iled !i, o% %e+ei*ed soe ot!e% e*il at

!is !ands o$ wo$ld not sa t!is And e+a$se we t!in/ %i#!t to dest%o o$, do o$

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t!in/ t!at o$ !a*e an %i#!t to dest%o $s in %et$%n, and o$% +o$nt% as "a% as in o$

lies And will o$, O %o"esso% o" t%$e *i%t$e, sa t!at o$ a%e 4$sti"ied in t!is ;as a

!iloso!e% li/e o$ "ailed to dis+o*e% t!at o$% +o$nt% is o%e to e *al$ed and !i#!e%and !olie% "a% t!an ot!e% o% "at!e% o% an an+esto%, and o%e to e %e#a%ded in t!e ees

o" t!e #ods and o" en o" $nde%standin# also to e soot!ed, and #entl and %e*e%entl

ent%eated w!en an#%, e*en o%e t!an a "at!e%, and i" not e%s$aded, oeed And w!enwe a%e $nis!ed !e%, w!et!e% wit! i%isonent o% st%ies, t!e $nis!ent is to e

end$%ed in silen+e- and i" s!e leads $s to wo$nds o% deat! in attle, t!it!e% we "ollow as is

%i#!t- neit!e% a anone ield o% %et%eat o% lea*e !is %an/, $t w!et!e% in attle o% in a+o$%t o" law, o% in an ot!e% la+e, !e $st do w!at !is +it and !is +o$nt% o%de% !i- o%

!e $st +!an#e t!ei% *iew o" w!at is 4$st& and i" !e a do no *iolen+e to !is "at!e% o%

ot!e%, $+! less a !e do *iolen+e to !is +o$nt%.= 9!at answe% s!all we a/e to

t!is, C%ito Do t!e laws sea/ t%$l, o% do t!e not

CrI t!in/ t!at t!e do.

SocT!en t!e laws will sa& =Conside%, So+%ates, i" t!is is t%$e, t!at in o$% %esentattet o$ a%e #oin# to do $s w%on#. :o%, a"te% !a*in# %o$#!t o$ into t!e wo%ld, and

n$%t$%ed and ed$+ated o$, and #i*en o$ and e*e% ot!e% +iti0en a s!a%e in e*e% #oodt!at we !ad to #i*e, we "$%t!e% %o+lai and #i*e t!e %i#!t to e*e% At!enian, t!at i" !e

does not li/e $s w!en !e !as +oe o" a#e and !as seen t!e was o" t!e +it, and ade o$%

a+6$aintan+e, !e a #o w!e%e !e leases and ta/e !is #oods wit! !i- and none o" $slaws will "o%id !i o% inte%"e%e wit! !i. An o" o$ w!o does not li/e $s and t!e +it,

and w!o wants to #o to a +olon o% to an ot!e% +it, a #o w!e%e !e li/es, and ta/e !is

#oods wit! !i. '$t !e w!o !as e8e%ien+e o" t!e anne% in w!i+! we o%de% 4$sti+e and

adiniste% t!e State, and still %eains, !as ente%ed into an ilied +ont%a+t t!at !e will doas we +oand !i. And !e w!o disoes $s is, as we aintain, t!%i+e w%on#& "i%st,

e+a$se in disoein# $s !e is disoein# !is a%ents- se+ondl, e+a$se we a%e t!e

a$t!o%s o" !is ed$+ation- t!i%dl, e+a$se !e !as ade an a#%eeent wit! $s t!at !e willd$l oe o$% +oands- and !e neit!e% oes t!e no% +on*in+es $s t!at o$%

+oands a%e w%on#- and we do not %$del iose t!e, $t #i*e !i t!e alte%nati*e o"

oein# o% +on*in+in# $s- t!at is w!at we o""e% and !e does neit!e%. T!ese a%e t!e so%t o"a++$sations to w!i+!, as we we%e sain#, o$, So+%ates, will e e8osed i" o$

a++olis! o$% intentions- o$, ao*e all ot!e% At!enians.= S$ose I as/, w! is t!is

t!e will 4$stl %eto%t $on e t!at I ao*e all ot!e% en !a*e a+/nowled#ed t!e

a#%eeent. =T!e%e is +lea% %oo",= t!e will sa, =So+%ates, t!at we and t!e +it we%e notdisleasin# to o$. O" all At!enians o$ !a*e een t!e ost +onstant %esident in t!e +it,

w!i+!, as o$ ne*e% lea*e, o$ a e s$osed to lo*e. :o% o$ ne*e% went o$t o" t!e

+it eit!e% to see t!e #aes, e8+et on+e w!en o$ went to t!e Ist!$s, o% to an ot!e%la+e $nless w!en o$ we%e on ilita% se%*i+e- no% did o$ t%a*el as ot!e% en do. No%

!ad o$ an +$%iosit to /now ot!e% States o% t!ei% laws& o$% a""e+tions did not #o

eond $s and o$% State- we we%e o$% ese+ial "a*o%ites, and o$ a+6$ies+ed in o$%#o*e%nent o" o$- and t!is is t!e State in w!i+! o$ e#at o$% +!ild%en, w!i+! is a

%oo" o" o$% satis"a+tion. >o%eo*e%, o$ i#!t, i" o$ !ad li/ed, !a*e "i8ed t!e enalt

at anis!ent in t!e +o$%se o" t!e t%ialt!e State w!i+! %e"$ses to let o$ #o now wo$ld

!a*e let o$ #o t!en. '$t o$ %etended t!at o$ %e"e%%ed deat! to e8ile, and t!at o$

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21/94

we%e not #%ie*ed at deat!. And now o$ !a*e "o%#otten t!ese "ine sentients, and a no

%ese+t to $s, t!e laws, o" w!o o$ a%e t!e dest%oe%- and a%e doin# w!at onl a

ise%ale sla*e wo$ld do, %$nnin# awa and t$%nin# o$% a+/ $on t!e +oa+ts anda#%eeents w!i+! o$ ade as a +iti0en. And "i%st o" all answe% t!is *e% 6$estion& A%e

we %i#!t in sain# t!at o$ a#%eed to e #o*e%ned a++o%din# to $s in deed, and not in

wo%d onl Is t!at t%$e o% not= ;ow s!all we answe% t!at, C%ito >$st we not a#%ee

CrT!e%e is no !el, So+%ates.

SocT!en will t!e not sa& =o$, So+%ates, a%e %ea/in# t!e +o*enants and a#%eeents

w!i+! o$ ade wit! $s at o$% leis$%e, not in an !aste o% $nde% an +o$lsion o%

de+etion, $t !a*in# !ad se*ent ea%s to t!in/ o" t!e, d$%in# w!i+! tie o$ we%e at

lie%t to lea*e t!e +it, i" we we%e not to o$% ind, o% i" o$% +o*enants aea%ed to o$to e $n"ai%. o$ !ad o$% +!oi+e, and i#!t !a*e #one eit!e% to La+edaeon o% C%ete,

w!i+! o$ o"ten %aise "o% t!ei% #ood #o*e%nent, o% to soe ot!e% ;elleni+ o% "o%ei#n

State. 9!e%eas o$, ao*e all ot!e% At!enians, seeed to e so "ond o" t!e State, o%, in

ot!e% wo%ds, o" $s !e% laws ("o% w!o wo$ld li/e a State t!at !as no laws), t!at o$ ne*e%sti%%ed o$t o" !e%& t!e !alt, t!e lind, t!e aied, we%e not o%e stationa% in !e% t!an

o$ we%e. And now o$ %$n awa and "o%sa/e o$% a#%eeents. Not so, So+%ates, i" o$will ta/e o$% ad*i+e- do not a/e o$%sel" %idi+$lo$s es+ain# o$t o" t!e +it.

=:o% 4$st +onside%, i" o$ t%ans#%ess and e%% in t!is so%t o" wa, w!at #ood will o$ do,eit!e% to o$%sel" o% to o$% "%iends T!at o$% "%iends will e d%i*en into e8ile and

de%i*ed o" +iti0ens!i, o% will lose t!ei% %oe%t, is tole%al +e%tain- and o$ o$%sel",

i" o$ "l to one o" t!e nei#!o%in# +ities, as, "o% e8ale, T!ees o% >e#a%a, ot! o"

w!i+! a%e well#o*e%ned +ities, will +oe to t!e as an ene, So+%ates, and t!ei%#o*e%nent will e a#ainst o$, and all at%ioti+ +iti0ens will +ast an e*il ee $on o$ as

a s$*e%te% o" t!e laws, and o$ will +on"i% in t!e inds o" t!e 4$d#es t!e 4$sti+e o"

t!ei% own +ondenation o" o$. :o% !e w!o is a +o%%$te% o" t!e laws is o%e t!an li/elto e +o%%$te% o" t!e o$n# and "oolis! o%tion o" an/ind. 9ill o$ t!en "lee "%o

wello%de%ed +ities and *i%t$o$s en and is e8isten+e wo%t! !a*in# on t!ese te%s O%

will o$ #o to t!e wit!o$t s!ae, and tal/ to t!e, So+%ates And w!at will o$ sa tot!e 9!at o$ sa !e%e ao$t *i%t$e and 4$sti+e and instit$tions and laws ein# t!e est

t!in#s aon# en 9o$ld t!at e de+ent o" o$ S$%el not. '$t i" o$ #o awa "%o

well#o*e%ned States to C%itos "%iends in T!essal, w!e%e t!e%e is #%eat diso%de% and

li+ense, t!e will e +!a%ed to !a*e t!e tale o" o$% es+ae "%o %ison, set o"" wit!l$di+%o$s a%ti+$la%s o" t!e anne% in w!i+! o$ we%e w%aed in a #oats/in o% soe

ot!e% dis#$ise, and etao%!osed as t!e "as!ion o" %$nawas is t!at is *e% li/el- $t

will t!e%e e no one to %eind o$ t!at in o$% old a#e o$ *iolated t!e ost sa+%ed laws"%o a ise%ale desi%e o" a little o%e li"e e%!as not, i" o$ /ee t!e in a #ood

tee%- $t i" t!e a%e o$t o" tee% o$ will !ea% an de#%adin# t!in#s- o$ will li*e,

$t !ow as t!e "latte%e% o" all en, and t!e se%*ant o" all en- and doin# w!at eatin#and d%in/in# in T!essal, !a*in# #one a%oad in o%de% t!at o$ a #et a dinne%. And

w!e%e will e o$% "ine sentients ao$t 4$sti+e and *i%t$e t!en Sa t!at o$ wis! to

li*e "o% t!e sa/e o" o$% +!ild%en, t!at o$ a %in# t!e $ and ed$+ate t!e will o$

ta/e t!e into T!essal and de%i*e t!e o" At!enian +iti0ens!i Is t!at t!e ene"it

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22/94

w!i+! o$ wo$ld +on"e% $on t!e O% a%e o$ $nde% t!e i%ession t!at t!e will e

ette% +a%ed "o% and ed$+ated !e%e i" o$ a%e still ali*e, alt!o$#! asent "%o t!e- "o%

t!at o$% "%iends will ta/e +a%e o" t!e Do o$ "an+ t!at i" o$ a%e an in!aitant o"T!essal t!e will ta/e +a%e o" t!e, and i" o$ a%e an in!aitant o" t!e ot!e% wo%ld t!e

will not ta/e +a%e o" t!e Na- $t i" t!e w!o +all t!esel*es "%iends a%e t%$l "%iends,

t!e s$%el will.

=Listen, t!en, So+%ates, to $s w!o !a*e %o$#!t o$ $. T!in/ not o" li"e and +!ild%en

"i%st, and o" 4$sti+e a"te%wa%ds, $t o" 4$sti+e "i%st, t!at o$ a e 4$sti"ied e"o%e t!e%in+es o" t!e wo%ld elow. :o% neit!e% will o$ no% an t!at elon# to o$ e !aie% o%

!olie% o% 4$ste% in t!is li"e, o% !aie% in anot!e%, i" o$ do as C%ito ids. Now o$ dea%t

in inno+en+e, a s$""e%e% and not a doe% o" e*il- a *i+ti, not o" t!e laws, $t o" en. '$t i"

o$ #o "o%t!, %et$%nin# e*il "o% e*il, and in4$% "o% in4$%, %ea/in# t!e +o*enants anda#%eeents w!i+! o$ !a*e ade wit! $s, and w%on#in# t!ose w!o o$ o$#!t least to

w%on#, t!at is to sa, o$%sel", o$% "%iends, o$% +o$nt%, and $s, we s!all e an#% wit!

o$ w!ile o$ li*e, and o$% %et!%en, t!e laws in t!e wo%ld elow, will %e+ei*e o$ as an

ene- "o% t!e will /now t!at o$ !a*e done o$% est to dest%o $s. Listen, t!en, to $sand not to C%ito.=

T!is is t!e *oi+e w!i+! I see to !ea% $%$%in# in ea%s, li/e t!e so$nd o" t!e "l$te

in t!e ea%s o" t!e sti+- t!at *oi+e, I sa, is !$in# in ea%s, and %e*ents e "%o

!ea%in# an ot!e%. And I /now t!at ant!in# o%e w!i+! o$ will sa will e in *ain. etsea/, i" o$ !a*e ant!in# to sa.

CrI !a*e not!in# to sa, So+%ates.

SocT!en let e "ollow t!e intiations o" t!e will o" God.

T5# #D

So$%+e&

+lassi+s.it.ed$lato+%ito.!tl

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The #nchiridion

' Ei+tet$s

9%itten 13< A.C.E.

T%anslated Eli0aet! Ca%te%

1Soe t!in#s a%e in o$% +ont%ol and ot!e%s not. T!in#s in o$% +ont%ol a%e oinion,

$%s$it, desi%e, a*e%sion, and, in a wo%d, w!ate*e% a%e o$% own a+tions. T!in#s not in o$%

+ont%ol a%e od, %oe%t, %e$tation, +oand, and, in one wo%d, w!ate*e% a%e not o$%

own a+tions.

T!e t!in#s in o$% +ont%ol a%e nat$%e "%ee, $n%est%ained, $n!inde%ed- $t t!ose not in o$%

+ont%ol a%e wea/, sla*is!, %est%ained, elon#in# to ot!e%s. Reee%, t!en, t!at i" o$

s$ose t!at t!in#s w!i+! a%e sla*is! nat$%e a%e also "%ee, and t!at w!at elon#s toot!e%s is o$% own, t!en o$ will e !inde%ed. o$ will laent, o$ will e dist$%ed,

and o$ will "ind "a$lt ot! wit! #ods and en. '$t i" o$ s$ose t!at onl to e o$%own w!i+! is o$% own, and w!at elon#s to ot!e%s s$+! as it %eall is, t!en no one will

e*e% +oel o$ o% %est%ain o$. :$%t!e%, o$ will "ind "a$lt wit! no one o% a++$se no

one. o$ will do not!in# a#ainst o$% will. No one will !$%t o$, o$ will !a*e noeneies, and o$ not e !a%ed.

Aiin# t!e%e"o%e at s$+! #%eat t!in#s, %eee% t!at o$ $st not allow o$%sel" to e

+a%%ied, e*en wit! a sli#!t tenden+, towa%ds t!e attainent o" lesse% t!in#s. Instead, o$$st enti%el 6$it soe t!in#s and "o% t!e %esent ostone t!e %est. '$t i" o$ wo$ld

ot! !a*e t!ese #%eat t!in#s, alon# wit! owe% and %i+!es, t!en o$ will not #ain e*en t!e

latte%, e+a$se o$ ai at t!e "o%e% too& $t o$ will asol$tel "ail o" t!e "o%e%, w!i+! alone !ainess and "%eedo a%e a+!ie*ed.

9o%/, t!e%e"o%e to e ale to sa to e*e% !a%s! aea%an+e, =o$ a%e $t an aea%an+e,and not asol$tel t!e t!in# o$ aea% to e.= And t!en e8aine it t!ose %$les w!i+!

o$ !a*e, and "i%st, and +!ie"l, t!is& w!et!e% it +on+e%ns t!e t!in#s w!i+! a%e in o$%

own +ont%ol, o% t!ose w!i+! a%e not- and, i" it +on+e%ns ant!in# not in o$% +ont%ol, e

%ea%ed to sa t!at it is not!in# to o$.

2Reee% t!at "ollowin# desi%e %oises t!e attainent o" t!at o" w!i+! o$ a%e

desi%o$s- and a*e%sion %oises t!e a*oidin# t!at to w!i+! o$ a%e a*e%se. ;owe*e%, !ew!o "ails to otain t!e o4e+t o" !is desi%e is disaointed, and !e w!o in+$%s t!e o4e+t

o" !is a*e%sion w%et+!ed. I", t!en, o$ +on"ine o$% a*e%sion to t!ose o4e+ts onl w!i+!

a%e +ont%a% to t!e nat$%al $se o" o$% "a+$lties, w!i+! o$ !a*e in o$% own +ont%ol, o$will ne*e% in+$% ant!in# to w!i+! o$ a%e a*e%se. '$t i" o$ a%e a*e%se to si+/ness, o%

deat!, o% o*e%t, o$ will e w%et+!ed. Reo*e a*e%sion, t!en, "%o all t!in#s t!at a%e

not in o$% +ont%ol, and t%ans"e% it to t!in#s +ont%a% to t!e nat$%e o" w!at is in o$% +ont%ol.

'$t, "o% t!e %esent, totall s$%ess desi%e& "o%, i" o$ desi%e an o" t!e t!in#s w!i+! a%e

17


24/94

not in o$% own +ont%ol, o$ $st ne+essa%il e disaointed- and o" t!ose w!i+! a%e,

and w!i+! it wo$ld e la$dale to desi%e, not!in# is et in o$% ossession. Use onl t!e

a%o%iate a+tions o" $%s$it and a*oidan+e- and e*en t!ese li#!tl, and wit! #entlenessand %ese%*ation.

"9it! %e#a%d to w!ate*e% o4e+ts #i*e o$ deli#!t, a%e $se"$l, o% a%e deel lo*ed,%eee% to tell o$%sel" o" w!at #ene%al nat$%e t!e a%e, e#innin# "%o t!e ost

insi#ni"i+ant t!in#s. I", "o% e8ale, o$ a%e "ond o" a se+i"i+ +e%ai+ +$, %eind

o$%sel" t!at it is onl +e%ai+ +$s in #ene%al o" w!i+! o$ a%e "ond. T!en, i" it %ea/s,o$ will not e dist$%ed. I" o$ /iss o$% +!ild, o% o$% wi"e, sa t!at o$ onl /iss

t!in#s w!i+! a%e !$an, and t!$s o$ will not e dist$%ed i" eit!e% o" t!e dies.

49!en o$ a%e #oin# ao$t an a+tion, %eind o$%sel" w!at nat$%e t!e a+tion is. I" o$a%e #oin# to at!e, i+t$%e to o$%sel" t!e t!in#s w!i+! $s$all !aen in t!e at!& soe

eole slas! t!e wate%, soe $s!, soe $se a$si*e lan#$a#e, and ot!e%s steal. T!$s

o$ will o%e sa"el #o ao$t t!is a+tion i" o$ sa to o$%sel", =I will now #o at!e, and

/ee own ind in a state +on"o%ale to nat$%e.= And in t!e sae anne% wit!%e#a%d to e*e% ot!e% a+tion. :o% t!$s, i" an !ind%an+e a%ises in at!in#, o$ will !a*e it

%ead to sa, =It was not onl to at!e t!at I desi%ed, $t to /ee ind in a state+on"o%ale to nat$%e- and I will not /ee it i" I a ot!e%ed at t!in#s t!at !aen.

%>en a%e dist$%ed, not t!in#s, $t t!e %in+iles and notions w!i+! t!e "o%+on+e%nin# t!in#s. Deat!, "o% instan+e, is not te%%ile, else it wo$ld !a*e aea%ed so to

So+%ates. '$t t!e te%%o% +onsists in o$% notion o" deat! t!at it is te%%ile. 9!en t!e%e"o%e

we a%e !inde%ed, o% dist$%ed, o% #%ie*ed, let $s ne*e% att%i$te it to ot!e%s, $t to

o$%sel*es- t!at is, to o$% own %in+iles. An $ninst%$+ted e%son will la t!e "a$lt o" !isown ad +ondition $on ot!e%s. Soeone 4$st sta%tin# inst%$+tion will la t!e "a$lt on

!isel". Soe w!o is e%"e+tl inst%$+ted will la+e lae neit!e% on ot!e%s no% on

!isel".

6Dont e %ide"$l wit! an e8+ellen+e t!at is not o$% own. I" a !o%se s!o$ld e

%ide"$l and sa, = I a !andsoe,= it wo$ld e s$o%tale. '$t w!en o$ a%e %ide"$l,and sa, = I !a*e a !andsoe !o%se,= /now t!at o$ a%e %o$d o" w!at is, in "a+t, onl t!e

#ood o" t!e !o%se. 9!at, t!en, is o$% own Onl o$% %ea+tion to t!e aea%an+es o"

t!in#s. T!$s, w!en o$ e!a*e +on"o%al to nat$%e in %ea+tion to !ow t!in#s aea%,

o$ will e %o$d wit! %eason- "o% o$ will ta/e %ide in soe #ood o" o$% own.

!Conside% w!en, on a *oa#e, o$% s!i is an+!o%ed- i" o$ #o on s!o%e to #et wate% o$

a alon# t!e wa a$se o$%sel" wit! i+/in# $ a s!ellis!, o% an onion. ;owe*e%, o$%t!o$#!ts and +ontin$al attention o$#!t to e ent towa%ds t!e s!i, waitin# "o% t!e +atain

to +all on oa%d- o$ $st t!en iediatel lea*e all t!ese t!in#s, ot!e%wise o$ will e

t!%own into t!e s!i, o$nd ne+/ and "eet li/e a s!ee. So it is wit! li"e. I", instead o" anonion o% a s!ell"is!, o$ a%e #i*en a wi"e o% +!ild, t!at is "ine. '$t i" t!e +atain +alls, o$

$st %$n to t!e s!i, lea*in# t!e, and %e#a%din# none o" t!e. '$t i" o$ a%e old, ne*e%

#o "a% "%o t!e s!i& lest, w!en o$ a%e +alled, o$ s!o$ld e $nale to +oe in tie.

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25/94

'Dont deand t!at t!in#s !aen as o$ wis!, $t wis! t!at t!e !aen as t!e do

!aen, and o$ will #o on well.

-Si+/ness is a !ind%an+e to t!e od, $t not to o$% ailit to +!oose, $nless t!at is

o$% +!oi+e. Laeness is a !ind%an+e to t!e le#, $t not to o$% ailit to +!oose. Sa t!is

to o$%sel" wit! %e#a%d to e*e%t!in# t!at !aens, t!en o$ will see s$+! osta+les as!ind%an+es to soet!in# else, $t not to o$%sel".

1,9it! e*e% a++ident, as/ o$%sel" w!at ailities o$ !a*e "o% a/in# a %oe% $se o"it. I" o$ see an att%a+ti*e e%son, o$ will "ind t!at sel"%est%aint is t!e ailit o$ !a*e

a#ainst o$% desi%e. I" o$ a%e in ain, o$ will "ind "o%tit$de. I" o$ !ea% $nleasant

lan#$a#e, o$ will "ind atien+e. And t!$s !ait$ated, t!e aea%an+es o" t!in#s will not

!$%% o$ awa alon# wit! t!e.

11Ne*e% sa o" ant!in#, =I !a*e lost it=- $t, =I !a*e %et$%ned it.= Is o$% +!ild dead It

is %et$%ned. Is o$% wi"e dead S!e is %et$%ned. Is o$% estate ta/en awa 9ell, and is

not t!at li/ewise %et$%ned ='$t !e w!o too/ it awa is a ad an.= 9!at di""e%en+e is itto o$ w!o t!e #i*e% assi#ns to ta/e it a+/ 9!ile !e #i*es it to o$ to ossess, ta/e +a%e

o" it- $t dont *iew it as o$% own, 4$st as t%a*ele%s *iew a !otel.

12I" o$ want to i%o*e, %e4e+t s$+! %easonin#s as t!ese& =I" I ne#le+t a""ai%s, Ill

!a*e no in+oe- i" I dont +o%%e+t se%*ant, !e will e ad.= :o% it is ette% to die wit!!$n#e%, e8et "%o #%ie" and "ea%, t!an to li*e in a""l$en+e wit! e%t$%ation- and it is

ette% o$% se%*ant s!o$ld e ad, t!an o$ $n!a.

'e#in t!e%e"o%e "%o little t!in#s. Is a little oil silt A little wine stolen Sa to o$%sel",=T!is is t!e %i+e aid "o% aat!, "o% t%an6$illit, and not!in# is to e !ad "o% not!in#.=

9!en o$ +all o$% se%*ant, it is ossile t!at !e a not +oe- o%, i" !e does, !e a

not do w!at o$ want. '$t !e is no eans o" s$+! io%tan+e t!at it s!o$ld e in !isowe% to #i*e o$ an dist$%an+e.

1"I" o$ want to i%o*e, e +ontent to e t!o$#!t "oolis! and st$id wit! %e#a%d toe8te%nal t!in#s. Dont wis! to e t!o$#!t to /now ant!in#- and e*en i" o$ aea% to e

soeod io%tant to ot!e%s, dist%$st o$%sel". :o%, it is di""i+$lt to ot! /ee o$%

"a+$lt o" +!oi+e in a state +on"o%ale to nat$%e, and at t!e sae tie a+6$i%e e8te%nal

t!in#s. '$t w!ile o$ a%e +a%e"$l ao$t t!e one, o$ $st o" ne+essit ne#le+t t!e ot!e%.

14I" o$ wis! o$% +!ild%en, and o$% wi"e, and o$% "%iends to li*e "o% e*e%, o$ a%e

st$id- "o% o$ wis! to e in +ont%ol o" t!in#s w!i+! o$ +annot, o$ wis! "o% t!in#s t!atelon# to ot!e%s to e o$% own. So li/ewise, i" o$ wis! o$% se%*ant to e wit!o$t "a$lt,

o$ a%e a "ool- "o% o$ wis! *i+e not to e *i+e,= $t soet!in# else. '$t, i" o$ wis! to

!a*e o$% desi%es $ndisaointed, t!is is in o$% own +ont%ol. E8e%+ise, t!e%e"o%e, w!at isin o$% +ont%ol. ;e is t!e aste% o" e*e% ot!e% e%son w!o is ale to +on"e% o% %eo*e

w!ate*e% t!at e%son wis!es eit!e% to !a*e o% to a*oid. 9!oe*e%, t!en, wo$ld e "%ee, let

!i wis! not!in#, let !i de+line not!in#, w!i+! deends on ot!e%s else !e $st

ne+essa%il e a sla*e.

17


26/94

1%Reee% t!at o$ $st e!a*e in li"e as at a dinne% a%t. Is ant!in# %o$#!t

a%o$nd to o$ $t o$t o$% !and and ta/e o$% s!a%e wit! ode%ation. Does it ass o$ Dont sto it. Is it not et +oe Dont st%et+! o$% desi%e towa%ds it, $t wait till it

%ea+!es o$. Do t!is wit! %e#a%d to +!ild%en, to a wi"e, to $li+ osts, to %i+!es, and o$

will e*ent$all e a wo%t! a%tne% o" t!e "easts o" t!e #ods. And i" o$ dont e*en ta/et!e t!in#s w!i+! a%e set e"o%e o$, $t a%e ale e*en to %e4e+t t!e, t!en o$ will not

onl e a a%tne% at t!e "easts o" t!e #ods, $t also o" t!ei% ei%e. :o%, doin# t!is,

Dio#enes, ;e%a+lit$s and ot!e%s li/e t!e, dese%*edl e+ae, and we%e +alled, di*ine.

169!en o$ see anone weein# in #%ie" e+a$se !is son !as #one a%oad, o% is dead,

o% e+a$se !e !as s$""e%ed in !is a""ai%s, e +a%e"$l t!at t!e aea%an+e a not isdi%e+t

o$. Instead, distin#$is! wit!in o$% own ind, and e %ea%ed to sa, =Its not t!ea++ident t!at dist%esses t!is e%son., e+a$se it doesnt dist%ess anot!e% e%son- it is t!e

4$d#ent w!i+! !e a/es ao$t it.= As "a% as wo%ds #o, !owe*e%, dont %ed$+e o$%sel"

to !is le*el, and +e%tainl do not oan wit! !i. Do not oan inwa%dl eit!e%.

1!Reee% t!at o$ a%e an a+to% in a d%aa, o" s$+! a /ind as t!e a$t!o% leases to

a/e it. I" s!o%t, o" a s!o%t one- i" lon#, o" a lon# one. I" it is !is leas$%e o$ s!o$ld a+t aoo% an, a +%ile, a #o*e%no%, o% a %i*ate e%son, see t!at o$ a+t it nat$%all. :o% t!is

is o$% $siness, to a+t well t!e +!a%a+te% assi#ned o$- to +!oose it is anot!e%s.

1'9!en a %a*en !aens to +%oa/ $nl$+/il, dont allow t!e aea%an+e !$%% o$ awa

wit! it, $t iediatel a/e t!e distin+tion to o$%sel", and sa, =None o" t!ese t!in#s

a%e "o%etold to e- $t eit!e% to alt% od, o% %oe%t, o% %e$tation, o% +!ild%en, o%

wi"e. '$t to e all oens a%e l$+/, i" I will. :o% w!i+!e*e% o" t!ese t!in#s !aens, it isin +ont%ol to de%i*e ad*anta#e "%o it.=

1-o$ a e $n+on6$e%ale, i" o$ ente% into no +oat in w!i+! it is not in o$% own+ont%ol to +on6$e%. 9!en, t!e%e"o%e, o$ see anone einent in !ono%s, o% owe%, o% in

!i#! estee on an ot!e% a++o$nt, ta/e !eed not to e !$%%ied awa wit! t!e aea%an+e,

and to %ono$n+e !i !a- "o%, i" t!e essen+e o" #ood +onsists in t!in#s in o$% own+ont%ol, t!e%e will e no %oo "o% en* o% e$lation. '$t, "o% o$% a%t, dont wis! to e a

#ene%al, o% a senato%, o% a +ons$l, $t to e "%ee- and t!e onl wa to t!is is a +ontet o"

t!in#s not in o$% own +ont%ol.

2,Reee%, t!at not !e w!o #i*es ill lan#$a#e o% a low ins$lts, $t t!e %in+ile

w!i+! %e%esents t!ese t!in#s as ins$ltin#. 9!en, t!e%e"o%e, anone %o*o/es o$, e

ass$%ed t!at it is o$% own oinion w!i+! %o*o/es o$. T%, t!e%e"o%e, in t!e "i%st la+e,not to e !$%%ied awa wit! t!e aea%an+e. :o% i" o$ on+e #ain tie and %esite, o$

will o%e easil +oand o$%sel".

21Let deat! and e8ile, and all ot!e% t!in#s w!i+! aea% te%%ile e dail e"o%e o$%

ees, $t +!ie"l deat!, and o$ win ne*e% ente%tain an a4e+t t!o$#!t, no% too ea#e%l

+o*et ant!in#.

17H


27/94

22I" o$ !a*e an ea%nest desi%e o" attainin# to !iloso!, %ea%e o$%sel" "%o t!e

*e% "i%st to e la$#!ed at, to e snee%ed t!e $ltit$de, to !ea% t!e sa,.= ;e is

%et$%ned to $s a !iloso!e% all at on+e,= and = 9!en+e t!is s$e%+ilio$s loo/= Now, "o%o$% a%t, dont !a*e a s$e%+ilio$s loo/ indeed- $t /ee steadil to t!ose t!in#s w!i+!

aea% est to o$ as one aointed God to t!is station. :o% %eee% t!at, i" o$

ad!e%e to t!e sae oint, t!ose *e% e%sons w!o at "i%st %idi+$led will a"te%wa%ds adi%eo$. '$t i" o$ a%e +on6$e%ed t!e, o$ will in+$% a do$le %idi+$le.

2"I" o$ e*e% !aen to t$%n o$% attention to e8te%nals, so as to wis! to lease anone,e ass$%ed t!at o$ !a*e %$ined o$% s+!ee o" li"e. 'e +ontented, t!en, in e*e%t!in#

wit! ein# a !iloso!e%- and, i" o$ wis! to e t!o$#!t so li/ewise anone, aea% so

to o$%sel", and it will s$""i+e o$.

24Dont allow s$+! +onside%ations as t!ese dist%ess o$. =I will li*e in dis!ono%, and e

nood anw!e%e.= :o%, i" dis!ono% is an e*il, o$ +an no o%e e in*ol*ed in an e*il

t!e eans o" anot!e%, t!an e en#a#

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