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Socrates
Soc. But the true and pure pleasures, of which you spoke, you must consider almost our own by nature, and also those which are united with health and self-restraint, and furthermore all those which are handmaids of virtue in general and follow everywhere in its train as if it were a god,—add these to the mixture; but as for the pleasures which follow after folly and all baseness, it would be very senseless for anyone who desires to discover the most beautiful and most restful mixture or compound, and to try to learn which of its elements is good in man and the universe, and what we should divine its nature to be, to mix these with mind. Shall we not say that this reply which mind has now made for itself and memory and right opinion is wise and reasonable?
Protarchus
Pro. Certainly.
Socrates
Soc. But another addition is surely necessary, without which nothing whatsoever can ever come into being.
Protarchus
Pro. What is it?
Socrates
Soc. That in which there is no admixture of truth can never truly come into being or exist.
5
Protarchus
Pro. No, of course not.
Socrates
Soc. No. But if anything is still wanting in our mixture, you and Philebus must speak of it. For to me it seems that our argument is now completed, as it were an incorporeal order which shall rule nobly a living body.
Protarchus
Pro. And you may say, Socrates, that I am of the same opinion.
Socrates
Soc. And if we were to say that we are now in the vestibule of the good and of the dwelling of the good, should we not be speaking the truth after a fashion?
Protarchus
Pro. I certainly think so.
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