30
Soc. And to my question it has furnished the reply that mind belongs to that one of our four classes which was called the cause of all. Now, you see, you have at last my answer.
30
Pro. Yes, and a very sufficient one and yet you answered without my knowing it.
30
Soc. Yes, Protarchus, for sometimes a joke is a restful change from serious talk.
30
Pro. You are right.
31
Soc. We have now, then, my friend, pretty clearly shown to what class mind belongs and what power it possesses.
31
Pro. Certainly.
31
Soc. And likewise the class of pleasure was made clear some time ago.
31
Pro. Yes, it was.
31
Soc. Let us, then, remember concerning both of them that mind was akin to cause and belonged more or less to that class, and that pleasure was itself infinite and belonged to the class which, in and by itself, has not and never will have either beginning or middle or end.
31
Pro. We will remember that, of course.
31
Soc. Our next task is to see in what and by means of what feeling each of them comes into being whenever they do come into being. We will take pleasure first and discuss these questions in relation to pleasure, as we examined its class first. But we cannot examine pleasure successfully apart from pain.
31
Pro. If that is our proper path, let us follow it.
31
Soc. Do you agree with us about the origin of pleasure?
31
Pro. What do you think it is?
31
Soc. I think pain and pleasure naturally originate in the combined class.
31
Pro. Please, my dear Socrates, remind us which of the aforesaid classes you mean by the combined class.
31
Soc. I will do so, as well as I can, my brilliant friend.
31
Pro. Thank you.
31
Soc. By combined class, then, let us understand that which we said was the third of the four.
31
Pro. The one you mentioned after the infinite and the finite, and in which you put health and also, I believe, harmony?
31
Soc. You are quite right. Now please pay very close attention.
31
Pro. I will. Say on.
