Kitap 10
897
Clin. By no means.
897
Ath. Which kind of soul, then, shall we say is in control of Heaven and earth and the whole circle? That which is wise and full of goodness, or that which has neither quality? To this shall we make reply as follows?
897
Clin. How?
897
Ath. If, my good sir, we are to assert that the whole course and motion of Heaven and of all it contains have a motion like to the motion and revolution and reckonings of reason,i.e. the uniform revolution of a sphere in the same spot and on its own axis: cp. Plat. Laws 898a; Plat. Tim. 34a ff, Plat. Tim. 34b ff; Plat. 90c, d. and proceed in a kindred manner, then clearly we must assert that the best soul regulates the whole cosmos and drives it on its course, which is of the kind described.
897
Clin. You are right.
897
Ath. But the bad soul, if it proceeds in a mad and disorderly way.
897
Clin. That also is right.
897
Ath. Then what is the nature of the motion of reason? Here, my friends, we come to a question that is difficult to answer wisely; consequently, it is fitting that you should now call me in to assist you with the answer.
897
Clin. Very good.
897
Ath. In making our answer let us not bring on night, as it were, at midday, by looking right in the eye of the sun,Cp.Plat. Rep. 516a ff. as though with mortal eyes we could ever behold reason and know it fully; the safer way to behold the object with which our question is concerned is by looking at an image of it.
897
Clin. How do you mean?
897
Ath. Let us take as an image that one of the ten motions which reason resembles; reminding ourselves of whichCp. Plat. Laws 893b.; the motion to which reason is likened is the first of the ten. I, along with you, will make answer.
897
Clin. You will probably speak admirably.
897
Ath. Do we still recollect thus much about the things then described, that we assumed that, of the total, some were in motion, others at rest?
897
Clin. Yes.
898
Ath. And further, that, of those in motion, some move in one place, others move in several places?
898
Clin. That is so.
