30–31
Socrates
Soc. Now do not imagine, Protarchus, that this is mere idle talk of mine; it confirms the utterances of those who declared of old Anaxagoras and probably some now unknown precursors. that mind always rules the universe.
15
Protarchus
Pro. Yes, certainly.
Socrates
Soc. And to my question it has furnished the reply 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
Pro. Yes, and a very sufficient one and yet you answered without my knowing it.
Socrates
Soc. Yes, Protarchus, for sometimes a joke is a restful change from serious talk.
Protarchus
Pro. You are right.
20
Socrates
Soc. We have now, then, my friend, pretty clearly shown to what class mind belongs and what power it possesses.
Protarchus
Pro. Certainly.
Socrates
Soc. And likewise the class of pleasure was made clear some time ago.
Protarchus
Pro. Yes, it was.
Socrates
Soc. Let us, then, remember concerning both of them that mind was akin to cause and belonged more or less to that class, and that pleasure was itself infinite and belonged to the class which, in and by itself, has not and never will have either beginning or middle or end.
5
Protarchus
Pro. We will remember that, of course.
Socrates
Soc. Our next task is to see in what and by means of what feeling each of them comes into being whenever they do come into being. We will take pleasure first and discuss these questions in relation to pleasure, as we examined its class first. But we cannot examine pleasure successfully apart from pain.
Protarchus
Pro. If that is our proper path, let us follow it.
