Page:Ferrier Works vol 2 1888 LECTURES IN GREEK PHILOSOPHY.pdf/376

Rh lead them to the light, they would, if they could get him into their power, kill him.

"Now this image, my dear Glaucon, is to be applied to the case we were speaking of before. We must liken the visible world to the dark cavern, and the fire which makes objects visible to the sun. The ascent upwards, and the vision of the objects there, is the advance of the mind into the intelligible world; at least such is my faith and hope, and of these you wished me to give an account. God knows if my faith is well founded. And, according to my view, the idea of the Supreme Good is seen last of all, and with the greatest difficulty; and when seen, is apprehended as the cause of all that is right and excellent. This idea produces in the visible world light, and the sun the cause of light; in the intellectual world it is the cause (source) of truth, and of the intuition of truth. And this idea he who is to act wisely either in private or in public matters must get possession of.

And now, as you agree with me in this view, you will agree with me further, that it is not to be wondered at that those who have advanced into that higher region are not willing to be involved in the affairs of men; their souls wish to dwell for ever in that upper region. Nor is it wonderful if any one coming down from divine contemplations to the wretched concerns of men blunders and is laughed at; while he is still purblind, and before his eyes