The dialogues of Plato in five volumes, Vol. 2 (of 5) : $b Translated into English with analyses and introductions
Plato · en
Thus all objections appear to be finally silenced. And now the 107
application has to be made: If the soul is immortal, ‘what manner
of persons ought we to be?’ having regard not only to time but to
eternity. For death is not the end of all, and the wicked is not
released from his evil by death; but every one carries with him
into the world below that which he is or has become, and that
only.
[Sidenote: _Analysis 107-112._]
For after death the soul is carried away to judgment, and when
she has received her punishment returns to earth in the course of
ages. The wise soul is conscious of her situation, and follows the 108
attendant angel who guides her through the windings of the world
below; but the impure soul wanders hither and thither without
companion or guide, and is carried at last to her own place, as the
pure soul is also carried away to hers. ‘In order that you may
understand this, I must first describe to you the nature and
conformation of the earth.’
Now the whole earth is a globe placed in the centre of the
heavens, and is maintained there by the perfection of balance. 109
That which we call the earth is only one of many small hollows,
wherein collect the mists and waters and the thick lower air; but
the true earth is above, and is in a finer and subtler element.
And if, like birds, we could fly to the surface of the air, in the
same manner that fishes come to the top of the sea, then we should
behold the true earth and the true heaven and the true stars. Our 110
earth is everywhere corrupted and corroded; and even the land,
which is fairer than the sea, for that is a mere chaos or waste of
water and mud and sand, has nothing to show in comparison of
the other world. But the heavenly earth is of divers colours,
sparkling with jewels brighter than gold and whiter than any snow,
having flowers and fruits innumerable. And the inhabitants 111
dwell some on the shore of the sea of air, others in ‘islets of the
blest,’ and they hold converse with the gods, and behold the sun,
moon and stars as they truly are, and their other blessedness is of
a piece with this.
[Sidenote: _Analysis 112-116._]