900–901
Clinias
Clin. A good suggestion! We will do our best to carry it out; and do you do likewise.
Athenian
Ath. Well, there will probably be no difficulty in proving to this man that the gods care for small things no less than for things superlatively great. For, of course, he was present at our recent argument, and heard that the gods, being good with all goodness, possess such care of the whole as is most proper to themselves.
Clinias
Clin. Most certainly he heard that.
Athenian
Ath. Let us join next in enquiring what is that goodness of theirs in respect of which we agree that they are good. Come now, do we say that prudence and the possession of reason are parts of goodness, and the opposites of these of badness?
5
Clinias
Clin. We do say so.
Athenian
Ath. And further, that courage is part of goodness, and cowardice of badness?
Athenian
Ath. And shall we say that some of these are foul, others fair?
Clinias
Clin. Necessarily.
10
Athenian
Ath. And shall we say that all such as are mean belong to us, if to anyone, whereas the gods have no share in any such things, great or small?
Clinias
Clin. To this, too, everyone would assent.
Athenian
Ath. Well then, shall we reckon neglect, idleness and indolence as goodness of soul? Or how say you?
Clinias
Clin. How could we?
Athenian
Ath. As the opposite, then?
15
Athenian
Ath. And the opposites of these as of the opposite quality of soul?
Clinias
Clin. Of the opposite quality.