_Soc._ And a thing is not seen because it is visible, but conversely, visible because it is seen; nor is a thing led because it is in the state of being led, or carried because it is in the state of being carried, but the converse of this. And now I think, Euthyphro, that my meaning will be intelligible; and my meaning is, that any state of action or passion implies previous action or passion. It does not become because it is becoming, but it is in a state of becoming because it becomes; neither does it suffer because it is in a state of suffering, but it is in a state of suffering because it suffers. Do you not agree? _Euth._ Yes. _Soc._ Is not that which is loved in some state either of becoming or suffering? _Euth._ Yes. [Sidenote: The latter is the truer account, and therefore we can only say that what is loved by all the gods is in a state to be loved by them; but holiness has a wider meaning than this.] _Soc._ And the same holds as in the previous instances; the state of being loved follows the act of being loved, and not the act the state. _Euth._ Certainly. _Soc._ And what do you say of piety, Euthyphro: is not piety, according to your definition, loved by all the gods? _Euth._ Yes. _Soc._ Because it is pious or holy, or for some other reason? _Euth._ No, that is the reason. _Soc._ It is loved because it is holy, not holy because it is loved? _Euth._ Yes. _Soc._ And that which is dear to the gods is loved by them, and is in a state to be loved of them because it is loved of them? [Sidenote: _The essence and the attribute._] _Euth._ Certainly. _Soc._ Then that which is dear to the gods, Euthyphro, is not holy, nor is that which is holy loved of God, as you affirm; but they are two different things. _Euth._ How do you mean, Socrates? _Soc._ I mean to say that the holy has been acknowledged by us to be loved of God because it is holy, not to be holy because it is loved. _Euth._ Yes. _Soc._ But that which is dear to the gods is dear to them because it is loved by them, not loved by them because it is dear to them. _Euth._ True. [Sidenote: What is the essential meaning of holiness or piety?]