Page - 1553 - in The Complete Plato

Athenian. Then, after what has been said, there is no difficulty in distinctly stating, that since soul carries all things round, either the best soul or the contrary must of necessity carry round and order and arrange the revolution of the heaven. Cleinias. And judging from what has been said, Stranger, there would be impiety in asserting that any but the most perfect soul or souls carries round the heavens. Athenian. You have understood my meaning right well, Cleinias, and now let me ask you another question. Cleinias. What are you going to ask? Athenian. If the soul carries round the sun and moon, and the other stars, does she not carry round each individual of them? Cleinias. Certainly. Athenian. Then of one of them let us speak, and the same argument will apply to all. Cleinias. Which will you take? Athenian. Every one sees the body of the sun, but no one sees his soul, nor the soul of any other body living or dead; and yet there is great reason to believe that this nature, unperceived by any of our senses, is circumfused around them all, but is perceived by mind; and therefore by mind and reflection only let us apprehend the following point. Cleinias. What is that? Athenian. If the soul carries round the sun, we shall not be far wrong in supposing one of three alternatives. Cleinias. What are they? Athenian. Either the soul which moves the sun this way and that, resides within the circular and visible body, like the soul which carries us about every way; or the soul provides herself with an external body of fire or air, as some affirm, and violently propels body by body; or thirdly, she is without such abody, but guides the sun by some extraordinary and wonderful power. Cleinias. Yes, certainly; the soul can only order all things in one of these three ways. Athenian. And this soul of the sun, which is therefore better than the sun, whether taking the sun about in a chariot to give light to men, or acting from without or in whatever way, ought by every man to be deemed a God. 1553