645–646
Clinias
Clin. Quite right: let us go through with every topic that seems important for the present discussion.
Athenian
Ath. Tell me now: if we give strong drink to this puppet of ours, what effect will it have on its character?
Clinias
Clin. In reference to what particular do you ask this question?
Athenian
Ath. To no particular, for the moment: I am putting the question in general terms—when this shares in that, what sort of thing does it become in consequence? I will try to convey my meaning still more clearly: what I ask is this—does the drinking of wine intensify pleasures and pains and passions and lusts?
5
Clinias
Clin. Yes, greatly.
Athenian
Ath. And how about sensations and recollections and opinions and thoughts? Does it make them likewise more intense? Or rather, do not these quit a man entirely if he becomes surfeited with drink?
Clinias
Clin. Yes, they quit him entirely.
Athenian
Ath. He then arrives at the same condition of soul as when he was a young child?
Clinias
Clin. He does.
10
Athenian
Ath. So at that moment he will have very little control of himself?
Clinias
Clin. Very little.
Athenian
Ath. And such a man is, we say, very bad?
Clinias
Clin. Very, indeed.
Athenian
Ath. It appears, then, that not the grey-beard only may be in his second childhood, but the drunkard as well.
Clinias
Clin. An admirable observation, Stranger.
5
Athenian
Ath. Is there any argument which will undertake to persuade us that this is a practice we ought to indulge in, instead of shunning it with all our might so far as we possibly can?
Clinias
Clin. It appears that there is: at any rate you assert this, and you were ready just now to argue it.