Page - 1100 - in The Complete Plato
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That I quite think.
On the other hand the philosopher will have the quality of gentleness. And
this also, when too much indulged, will turn to softness, but, if educated
rightly, will be gentle and moderate.
True.
And in our opinion the guardians ought to have both these qualities?
Assuredly.
And both should be in harmony?
Beyond question.
And the harmonious soul is both temperate and courageous?
Yes.
And the inharmonious is cowardly and boorish?
Very true.
And, when a man allows music to play upon him and to pour into his soul
through the funnel of his ears those sweet and soft and melancholy airs of
which we were just now speaking, and his whole life is passed in warbling
and the delights of song; in the first stage of the process the passion or spirit
which is in him is tempered like iron, and made useful, instead of brittle and
useless. But, if he carries on the softening and soothing process, in the next
stage he begins to melt and waste, until he has wasted away his spirit and cut
out the sinews of his soul; and he becomes a feeble warrior.
Very true.
If the element of spirit is naturally weak in him the change is speedily
accomplished, but if he have a good deal, then the power of music weakening
the spirit renders him excitable; on the least provocation he flames up at once,
and is speedily extinguished; instead of having spirit he grows irritable and
passionate and is quite impractical.
Exactly.
And so in gymnastics, if a man takes violent exercise and is a great feeder,
and the reverse of a great student of music and philosophy, at first the high
condition of his body fills him with pride and spirit, and he becomes twice the
man that he was.
Certainly.
And what happens? if he do nothing else, and holds no converse with the
1100
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book The Complete Plato"
The Complete Plato
- Title
- The Complete Plato
- Author
- Plato
- Date
- ~347 B.C.
- Language
- English
- License
- PD
- Size
- 21.0 x 29.7 cm
- Pages
- 1612
- Keywords
- Philosophy, Antique, Philosophie, Antike, Dialogues, Metaphysik, Metaphysics, Ideologie, Ideology, Englisch
- Categories
- Geisteswissenschaften
- International