Book 1
645
Ath. To no particular, for the moment: I am putting the question in general terms—when this shares in that, what sort of thing does it become in consequence? I will try to convey my meaning still more clearly: what I ask is this—does the drinking of wine intensify pleasures and pains and passions and lusts?
645
Clin. Yes, greatly.
645
Ath. And how about sensations and recollections and opinions and thoughts? Does it make them likewise more intense? Or rather, do not these quit a man entirely if he becomes surfeited with drink?
645
Clin. Yes, they quit him entirely.
645
Ath. He then arrives at the same condition of soul as when he was a young child?
645
Clin. He does.
645
Ath. So at that moment he will have very little control of himself?
646
Clin. Very little.
646
Ath. And such a man is, we say, very bad?
646
Clin. Very, indeed.
646
Ath. It appears, then, that not the grey-beard only may be in his second childhood, but the drunkard as well.
646
Clin. An admirable observation, Stranger.
646
Ath. Is there any argument which will undertake to persuade us that this is a practice we ought to indulge in, instead of shunning it with all our might so far as we possibly can?
646
Clin. It appears that there is: at any rate you assert this, and you were ready just now to argue it.
646
Ath. You are right in your reminder, and I am still ready to do so, now that you and Megillus have both expressed your willingness to listen to me.
646
Clin. Of course we shall listen, if only on account of the surprising paradox that, of his own free will, a man ought to plunge into the depths of depravity.
646
Ath. Depravity of soul, you mean, do you not?
646
Clin. Yes.
646
Ath. And how about plunging into a bad state of body, such as leanness or ugliness or impotence? Should we be surprised if a man of his own free will ever got into such a state?
646
Clin. Of course we should.
