896
Athenian
Ath. That is what I assert. And if this be really so, do we still complain that it has not been sufficiently proved that soul is identical with the prime origin and motion of what is, has been, and shall be, and of all that is opposite to these, seeing that it has been plainly shown to be the cause of all change and motion in all things?
Clinias
Clin. We make no such complaint; on the contrary, it has been proved most sufficiently that soul is of all things the oldest, since it is the first principle of motion.
Athenian
Ath. Then is not that motion which, when it arises in one object, is caused by another, and which never supplies self-motion to anything, second in order—or indeed as far down the list as one cares to put it,—it being the change of a really soulless body?
5
Athenian
Ath. Truly and finally, then, it would be a most veracious and complete statement to say that we find soul to be prior to body, and body secondary and posterior, soul governing and body being governed according to the ordinance of nature.
Clinias
Clin. Yes, most veracious.
Athenian
Ath. We recollect, of course, that we previously agreedPlat. Laws 892a, Plat. Laws 892b. that if soul could be shown to be older than body, then the things of soul also will be older than those of body.
Clinias
Clin. Certainly we do.
10
Athenian
Ath. Moods and dispositions and wishes and calculations and true opinions and considerations and memories will be prior to bodily length, breadth, depth and strength, if soul is prior to body.
Clinias
Clin. Necessarily.