[64a]
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
Certainly.Socrates
But another addition is surely necessary, without which nothing whatsoever can ever come into being. [64b] Protarchus
What is it?Socrates
That in which there is no admixture of truth can never truly come into being or exist.Protarchus
No, of course not.Socrates
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
And you may say, Socrates, that I am of the same opinion. [64c] Socrates
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
I certainly think so.Socrates
What element, then, of the mixture would appear to us to be the most precious and also the chief cause why such a state is beloved of all? When we have discovered this, we will then consider whether it is more closely attached and more akin to pleasure or to mind in the universe. [64d] Protarchus
Right; for that is most serviceable to us in forming our judgement.Socrates
And it is quite easy to see the cause which makes any mixture whatsoever either of the highest value or of none at all.Protarchus
What do you mean?Socrates
Why, everybody knows that.Protarchus
Knows what?Socrates
That any compound, however made, which lacks measure and proportion, must necessarily destroy its components and first of all itself; [64e] for it is in truth no compound, but an uncompounded jumble, and is always a misfortune to those who possess it.Protarchus
Perfectly true.Socrates
So now the power of the good has taken refuge in the nature of the beautiful; for measure and proportion are everywhere identified with beauty and virtue.Protarchus
Certainly.Socrates
We said that truth also was mingled with them in the compound.Protarchus
Certainly.Socrates
Then if we cannot catch the good with the aid of one idea,
Certainly.Socrates
But another addition is surely necessary, without which nothing whatsoever can ever come into being. [64b] Protarchus
What is it?Socrates
That in which there is no admixture of truth can never truly come into being or exist.Protarchus
No, of course not.Socrates
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
And you may say, Socrates, that I am of the same opinion. [64c] Socrates
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
I certainly think so.Socrates
What element, then, of the mixture would appear to us to be the most precious and also the chief cause why such a state is beloved of all? When we have discovered this, we will then consider whether it is more closely attached and more akin to pleasure or to mind in the universe. [64d] Protarchus
Right; for that is most serviceable to us in forming our judgement.Socrates
And it is quite easy to see the cause which makes any mixture whatsoever either of the highest value or of none at all.Protarchus
What do you mean?Socrates
Why, everybody knows that.Protarchus
Knows what?Socrates
That any compound, however made, which lacks measure and proportion, must necessarily destroy its components and first of all itself; [64e] for it is in truth no compound, but an uncompounded jumble, and is always a misfortune to those who possess it.Protarchus
Perfectly true.Socrates
So now the power of the good has taken refuge in the nature of the beautiful; for measure and proportion are everywhere identified with beauty and virtue.Protarchus
Certainly.Socrates
We said that truth also was mingled with them in the compound.Protarchus
Certainly.Socrates
Then if we cannot catch the good with the aid of one idea,
