897–898
Athenian
Ath. Do we still recollect thus much about the things then described, that we assumed that, of the total, some were in motion, others at rest?
15
Athenian
Ath. And further, that, of those in motion, some move in one place, others move in several places?
Clinias
Clin. That is so.
Athenian
Ath. And that, of these two motions, the motion which moves in one place must necessarily move always round some center, being a copy of the turned wheels; and that this has the nearest possible kinship and similarity to the revolution of reason?Cp.Plat. Tim. 33b ff, Plat. Tim. 34a ff; Plat. Rep. 436b ff.
Clinias
Clin. How do you mean?
Athenian
Ath. If we described them both as moving regularly and uniformly in the same spot, round the same things and in relation to the same things, according to one rule and system—reason, namely, and the motion that spins in one place (likened to the spinning of a turned globe),—we should never be in danger of being deemed unskillful in the construction of fair images by speech.
5
Athenian
Ath. On the other hand, will not the motion that is never uniform or regular or in the same place or around or in relation to the same things, not moving in one spot nor in any order or system or rule—will not this motion be akin to absolute unreason?
Clinias
Clin. It will, in very truth.