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246 than it? — : What evidence is there that there is anything else beyond this, which exists after death and is as it was in life? — : Now death is nothing else h11t the soul surviving the body? — : It is nothing else. — : Then is anything “absent” which is benefited in absence except by that whereby it is also benefited in presence? — : It must be so. — : Then why do you ask what it is from which the soul derives benefit in the state of absence from the body other than that from which it derives benefit in the state of presence? Or, what can harm it in the state of absence that does not harm it likewise in the state of presence? — : You have left me no loophole to deny the value of knowledge in this world and the next, and the harm of ignorance in both; these I must acknowledge, and I allow that you are right in stating that in the present and the absent I know of nothing save knowledge, ignorance, and the recompense of the two. It may be, however, there is something besides these which others have learned, though I have not. — : Can an answer be given but after a question? — : No. — : Can a question ever be asked before that which is asked about comes into the mind? — : No. — : If you have a clear notion of that about which you have asked, you have obtained the answer thereto in the answer which you received to your question about knowledge, ignorance, and their recompense. But if you have no notion in your own mind of that about which you would ask, I am not bound to reply. — : True, my question was not justified, and no answer is due from you. I have obtained the answer to my question. — : Then give Simmias leave to speak in his turn. — said: I heard all that Lysias asked concerning your statements, and the replies you gave Kriton: and all is clear to me except one word that Kriton accepted from you, but which is not clear to me as yet. — : Which? — “absence” or “presence” except knowledge, its opposite, and the recompense of the two. Now how can it be clear
 * I heard you say that there is nothing either in