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Updated: June 4, 2025
"Does it happen that when one sees a painted horse or a painted lyre one is reminded of a man, and that when one sees a picture of Simmias one is reminded of Cebes?" "Certainly." "And does it not also happen that on seeing a picture of Simmias one is reminded of Simmias himself?" "It does, indeed," he replied.
Upon this Cebes says that he agrees with all else that had been said, but can not help entertaining doubts of what will become of the soul when separated from the body, for the common opinion is that it is dispersed and vanishes like breath or smoke, and no longer exists anywhere.
And I rather imagine that Cebes is referring to you; he thinks that you are too ready to leave us, and too ready to leave the gods whom you acknowledge to be our good masters. Yes, replied Socrates; there is reason in what you say. And so you think that I ought to answer your indictment as if I were in a court? We should like you to do so, said Simmias.
And on this account, my friends Simmias and Cebes, those who philosophize rightly, abstain from all bodily desires, and persevere in doing so, and do not give themselves up to them, not fearing the loss of property and poverty, as the generality of men and the lovers of wealth; nor, again, dreading disgrace and ignominy, like those who are lovers of power and honor, do they then abstain from them."
And if all things were mingled together, but never separated, that doctrine of Anaxagoras would soon be verified, 'all things would be together. 46. Likewise, my dear Cebes, if all things that partake of life should die, and after they are dead should remain in this state of death, and not revive again, would it not necessarily follow that at length all things should be dead, and nothing alive?
Very true, Simmias, said Cebes; about half of what was required has been proven; to wit, that our souls existed before we were born: that the soul will exist after death as well as before birth is the other half of which the proof is still wanting, and has to be supplied; when that is given the demonstration will be complete.
How, then, this comes to pass, Simmias and Cebes, I will endeavor to explain." "For as many as rightly apply themselves to philosophy seem to have left all others in ignorance, that they aim at nothing else than to die and be dead.
And, at the same time looking at Cebes, "Has anything that has been said, Cebes, disturbed you?" "Indeed," said Cebes, "I am not at all so disposed; however, I by no means say that there are not many things that disturb me." "Then," he continued, "we have quite agreed to this, that a contrary can never be contrary to itself." "Most certainly," he replied.
Thus prepared, then, Simmias and Cebes," he continued, "I now proceed to my argument.
When Cebes, a Theban, wished to write an opinion of his for a law of human life, he simulated and painted it on a ’panel,’ as he thought that he would express it better thus, and that it would be more noble and more easily understood by all men; he then desired more to know how to paint, in order to speak, than how to write.
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