404 PLATO
was an impostor, and had no part or lot in true phi- losophy.
Yes, that was said.
Well, and is not this one quality, to mention no others, greatly at variance with present notions of him?
Certainly, he said.
And have we not a right to say in his defence, that the true lover of knowledge is always striving after being — that is his nature ; he will not rest in the multiplicity of individuals, which is an appearance only, but will go on — the keen edge will not be blunted, nor the force of his desire abate until he have attained the knowledge of the true nature of every es- sence by a sympathetic and kindred power in the soul, and by that power drawing near and mingling and becoming incorporate with every being, having begot- ten mind and truth, he will have knowledge and will live and grow truly, and then, and not till then, will he cease from his travail.
Nothing, he said, can be more just than such a de- scription of him.
And will the love of a lie be any part of a philoso- pher's nature ? Will he not utterly hate a lie ?
He will.
And when truth is the captain, we cannot suspect any evil of the band which he leads ?
Impossible.
«Justice and health of mind will be of the company, and temperance will follow after ?
True, he replied.
Neither is there any reason why I should again set in array the philosopher's virtues, as you will doubt- less remember that courage, magnificence, apprehen-
