Classical literature; Philosophy, Ancient; Socrates, 470 BC-399 BC
But the lover who depends upon the body, (41) what of him? First, why
should love-for-love be given to such a lover? because, forsooth, he
bestows upon himself what he desires, and upon his minion things of dire
reproach? or that what he hastens to exact, infallibly must separate
that other from his nearest friends?
(41) Or, "is wholly taken up with." Cf. Plat. "Laws," 831 C.
If it be pleaded that persuasion is his instrument, not violence; is
that no reason rather for a deeper loathing? since he who uses violence
(42) at any rate declares himself in his true colours as a villain,
while the tempter corrupts the soul of him who yields to his
persuasions.
(42) Cf. "Hiero," iii. 3; "Cyrop." III. i. 39.
Ay, and how should he who traffics with his beauty love the purchaser,
any more than he who keeps a stall in the market-place and vends to the
highest bidder? Love springs not up, I trow, because the one is in his
prime, and the other's bloom is withered, because fair is mated with
what is not fair, and hot lips are pressed to cold. Between man and
woman it is different. There the wife at any rate shares with her
husband in their nuptial joys; but here conversely, the one is sober and
with unimpassioned eye regards his fellow, who is drunken with the wine
of passion. (43)
(43) Lit. "by Aphrodite." Cf. Plat. "Phaedr." 240, "But the lover
... when he is drunk" (Jowett); "Symp." 214 C.
Wherefore it is no marvel if, beholding, there springs up in his breast
the bitterest contempt and scorn for such a lover. Search and you shall
find that nothing harsh was ever yet engendered by attachment based on
moral qualities; whilst shameless intercourse, time out of mind, has
been the source of countless hateful and unhallowed deeds. (44)
(44) Zeune cf. Ael. "V. H." viii. 9, re Archelaus king of Macedon,
concerning whom Aristotle, "Pol." v. 10. 1311 B: "Many
conspiracies have originated in shameful attempts made by
sovereigns on the persons of their subjects. Such was the attack
of Crataeus upon Archelaus," etc. (Jowett).
I have next to show that the society of him whose love is of the body,
not the soul, is in itself illiberal. The true educator who trains
another in the path of virtue, who will teach us excellence, whether
of speech or conduct, (45) may well be honoured, even as Cheiron and
Phoenix (46) were honoured by Achilles. But what can he expect, who
stretches forth an eager hand to clutch the body, save to be treated
(47) as a beggar? That is his character; for ever cringing and
petitioning a kiss, or some other soft caress, (48) this sorry suitor
dogs his victims.
(45) Phoenix addresses Achilles, "Il." ix. 443:
{muthon te reter' emenai, prektera te ergon}
Therefore sent he (Peleus) me to thee to teach thee all things, To be
both a speaker of words and a doer of deeds (W. Leaf).
(46) See "Il." xi. 831; "Hunting," ch. i., as to Cheiron and his
scholars, the last of whom is Achilles.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account