[315c]
But as for me, I would not call upon a man, and much less a god, and bid him enjoy himself—a god, because I would be imposing a task contrary to his nature (since the Deity has his abode far beyond pleasure or pain),—nor yet a man, because pleasure and pain generate mischief for the most part, since they breed in the soul mental sloth and forgetfulness and witlessness and insolence.1 Let such, then, be my declaration regarding the mode of address; and you, when you read it, accept it in what sense you please.It is stated by not a few that you related to some
1 This discussion of the proper form of address is suspiciously like Plat. Charm. 164d.
Plato. Plato in Twelve Volumes, Vol. 7 translated by R.G. Bury. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1966.
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