47–48
Protarchus
Pro. Socrates, you have described admirably what happens in the case of most people.
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Socrates
Soc. That may be, Protarchus, so far as concerns purely bodily pleasures in which internal and external sensations unite; but concerning the pleasures in which the soul and the body contribute opposite elements, each adding pain or pleasure to the other’s pleasure or pain, so that both unite in a single mixture—concerning these I said before that when a man is empty he desires to be filled, and rejoices in his expectation, but is pained by his emptiness, and now I add, what I did not say at that time, that in all these cases, which are innumerable, of opposition between soul and body, there is one single mixture of pain and pleasure.
Protarchus
Pro. I believe you are quite right.
Socrates
Soc. One further mixture of pain and pleasure is left.
Protarchus
Pro. What is it?
Socrates
Soc. That mixture of its own feelings which we said the soul often experiences.
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Protarchus
Pro. And what do we call this?
Socrates
Soc. Do you not regard anger, fear, yearning, mourning, love, jealousy, envy, and the like as pains of the soul and the soul only?
Socrates
Soc. And shall we not find them full of ineffable pleasures? Or must I remind you of the anger?Which stirs a man, though very wise, to wrath,And sweeter is than honey from the comb,Hom. Il. 18.108-109 and of the pleasures mixed with pains, which we find in mournings and longings?
Protarchus
Pro. No, you need not remind me; those things occur just as you suggest.
Socrates
Soc. And you remember, too, how people enjoy weeping at tragedies?
