65–66
Protarchus
Pro. But Socrates, no one, either asleep or awake, ever saw or knew wisdom or mind to be or become unseemly at any time or in any way whatsoever.
Protarchus
Pro. But pleasures, and the greatest pleasures at that, when we see any one enjoying them and observe the ridiculous or utterly disgraceful element which accompanies them, fill us with a sense of shame; we put them out of sight and hide them, so far as possible; we confine everything of that sort to the night time, as unfit for the sight of day.
Socrates
Soc. Then you will proclaim everywhere, Protarchus, by messengers to the absent and by speech to those present, that pleasure is not the first of possessions, nor even the second, but first the eternal nature has chosen measure, moderation, fitness, and all which is to be considered similar to these.
Protarchus
Pro. That appears to result from what has now been said.
Socrates
Soc. Second, then, comes proportion, beauty, perfection, sufficiency, and all that belongs to that class.
Protarchus
Pro. Yes, so it appears.
5
Socrates
Soc. And if you count mind and wisdom as the third, you will, I prophesy, not wander far from the truth.
Protarchus
Pro. That may be.
Socrates
Soc. And will you not put those properties fourth which we said belonged especially to the soul—sciences, arts, and true opinions they are called— and say that these come after the first three, and are fourth, since they are more akin than pleasure to the good?
