Anddoyounotknowalsothatalthoughtheymakeuseofthevisibleformsandreasonaboutthem，theyarethinkingnotofthese，butoftheidealswhichtheyresemble；notofthefigureswhichtheydraw，butoftheabsolutesquareandtheabsolutediameter，andsoon——theformswhichtheydrawormake，andwhichhaveshadowsandreflectionsinwateroftheirown，areconvertedbythemintoimages，buttheyarereallyseekingtobeholdthethingsthemselves，whichcanonlybeseenwiththeeyeofthemind？
　　Thatistrue。
　　AndofthiskindIspokeastheintelligible，althoughinthesearchafteritthesouliscompelledtousehypotheses；notascendingtoafirstprinciple，becausesheisunabletoriseabovetheregionofhypothesis，butemployingtheobjectsofwhichtheshadowsbelowareresemblancesintheirturnasimages，theyhavinginrelationtotheshadowsandreflectionsofthemagreaterdistinctness，andthereforeahighervalue。
　　Iunderstand，hesaid，thatyouarespeakingoftheprovinceofgeometryandthesisterarts。
　　AndwhenIspeakoftheotherdivisionoftheintelligible，youwillunderstandmetospeakofthatothersortofknowledgewhichreasonherselfattainsbythepowerofdialectic，usingthehypothesesnotasfirstprinciples，butonlyashypotheses——thatistosay，asstepsandpointsofdepartureintoaworldwhichisabovehypotheses，inorderthatshemaysoarbeyondthemtothefirstprincipleofthewhole；andclingingtothisandthentothatwhichdependsonthis，bysuccessivestepsshedescendsagainwithouttheaidofanysensibleobject，fromideas，throughideas，andinideassheends。
　　Iunderstandyou，hereplied；notperfectly，foryouseemtometobedescribingataskwhichisreallytremendous；but，atanyrate，I
　　understandyoutosaythatknowledgeandbeing，whichthescienceofdialecticcontemplates，areclearerthanthenotionsofthearts，astheyaretermed，whichproceedfromhypothesesonly：thesearealsocontemplatedbytheunderstanding，andnotbythesenses：yet，becausetheystartfromhypothesesanddonotascendtoaprinciple，thosewhocontemplatethemappeartoyounottoexercisethehigherreasonuponthem，althoughwhenafirstprincipleisaddedtothemtheyarecognizablebythehigherreason。AndthehabitwhichisconcernedwithgeometryandthecognatesciencesIsupposethatyouwouldtermunderstandingandnotreason，asbeingintermediatebetweenopinionandreason。
　　Youhavequiteconceivedmymeaning，Isaid；andnow，correspondingtothesefourdivisions，lettherebefourfacultiesinthesoul—reasonansweringtothehighest，understandingtothesecond，faith（orconviction）tothethird，andperceptionofshadowstothelast—andlettherebeascaleofthem，andletussupposethattheseveralfacultieshaveclearnessinthesamedegreethattheirobjectshavetruth。
　　Iunderstand，hereplied，andgivemyassent，andacceptyourarrangement。
　　BOOKVII
　　SOCRATES—GLAUCON
　　ANDnow，Isaid，letmeshowinafigurehowfarournatureisenlightenedorunenlightened：——Behold！humanbeingslivinginaundergroundden，whichhasamouthopentowardsthelightandreachingallalongtheden；heretheyhavebeenfromtheirchildhood，andhavetheirlegsandneckschainedsothattheycannotmove，andcanonlyseebeforethem，beingpreventedbythechainsfromturningroundtheirheads。Aboveandbehindthemafireisblazingatadistance，andbetweenthefireandtheprisonersthereisaraisedway；andyouwillsee，ifyoulook，alowwallbuiltalongtheway，likethescreenwhichmarionetteplayershaveinfrontofthem，overwhichtheyshowthepuppets。
　　Isee。
　　Anddoyousee，Isaid，menpassingalongthewallcarryingallsortsofvessels，andstatuesandfiguresofanimalsmadeofwoodandstoneandvariousmaterials，whichappearoverthewall？Someofthemaretalking，otherssilent。
　　Youhaveshownmeastrangeimage，andtheyarestrangeprisoners。
　　Likeourselves，Ireplied；andtheyseeonlytheirownshadows，ortheshadowsofoneanother，whichthefirethrowsontheoppositewallofthecave？
　　True，hesaid；howcouldtheyseeanythingbuttheshadowsiftheywereneverallowedtomovetheirheads？
　　Andoftheobjectswhicharebeingcarriedinlikemannertheywouldonlyseetheshadows？
　　Yes，hesaid。
　　Andiftheywereabletoconversewithoneanother，wouldtheynotsupposethattheywerenamingwhatwasactuallybeforethem？
　　Verytrue。
　　Andsupposefurtherthattheprisonhadanechowhichcamefromtheotherside，wouldtheynotbesuretofancywhenoneofthepassers—byspokethatthevoicewhichtheyheardcamefromthepassingshadow？
　　Noquestion，hereplied。
　　Tothem，Isaid，thetruthwouldbeliterallynothingbuttheshadowsoftheimages。
　　Thatiscertain。
　　Andnowlookagain，andseewhatwillnaturallyfollowit’theprisonersarereleasedanddisabusedoftheirerror。Atfirst，whenanyofthemisliberatedandcompelledsuddenlytostandupandturnhisneckroundandwalkandlooktowardsthelight，hewillsuffersharppains；theglarewilldistresshim，andhewillbeunabletoseetherealitiesofwhichinhisformerstatehehadseentheshadows；
　　andthenconceivesomeonesayingtohim，thatwhathesawbeforewasanillusion，butthatnow，whenheisapproachingnearertobeingandhiseyeisturnedtowardsmorerealexistence，hehasaclearervision，—whatwillbehisreply？Andyoumayfurtherimaginethathisinstructorispointingtotheobjectsastheypassandrequiringhimtonamethem，—willhenotbeperplexed？Willhenotfancythattheshadowswhichheformerlysawaretruerthantheobjectswhicharenowshowntohim？
　　Fartruer。
　　Andifheiscompelledtolookstraightatthelight，willhenothaveapaininhiseyeswhichwillmakehimturnawaytotakeandtakeintheobjectsofvisionwhichhecansee，andwhichhewillconceivetobeinrealityclearerthanthethingswhicharenowbeingshowntohim？
　　True，henowAndsupposeoncemore，thatheisreluctantlydraggedupasteepandruggedascent，andheldfastuntilhe’sforcedintothepresenceofthesunhimself，ishenotlikelytobepainedandirritated？Whenheapproachesthelighthiseyeswillbedazzled，andhewillnotbeabletoseeanythingatallofwhatarenowcalledrealities。
　　Notallinamoment，hesaid。
　　Hewillrequiretogrowaccustomedtothesightoftheupperworld。Andfirsthewillseetheshadowsbest，nextthereflectionsofmenandotherobjectsinthewater，andthentheobjectsthemselves；
　　thenhewillgazeuponthelightofthemoonandthestarsandthespangledheaven；andhewillseetheskyandthestarsbynightbetterthanthesunorthelightofthesunbyday？
　　Certainly。
　　Lastofhewillbeabletoseethesun，andnotmerereflectionsofhiminthewater，buthewillseehiminhisownproperplace，andnotinanother；andhewillcontemplatehimasheis。
　　Certainly。
　　Hewillthenproceedtoarguethatthisishewhogivestheseasonandtheyears，andistheguardianofallthatisinthevisibleworld，andinacertainwaythecauseofallthingswhichheandhisfellowshavebeenaccustomedtobehold？
　　Clearly，hesaid，hewouldfirstseethesunandthenreasonabouthim。
　　Andwhenherememberedhisoldhabitation，andthewisdomofthedenandhisfellow—prisoners，doyounotsupposethathewouldfelicitatehimselfonthechange，andpitythem？
　　Certainly，hewould。
　　Andiftheywereinthehabitofconferringhonoursamongthemselvesonthosewhowerequickesttoobservethepassingshadowsandtoremarkwhichofthemwentbefore，andwhichfollowedafter，andwhichweretogether；andwhowerethereforebestabletodrawconclusionsastothefuture，doyouthinkthathewouldcareforsuchhonoursandglories，orenvythepossessorsofthem？WouldhenotsaywithHomer，Bettertobethepoorservantofapoormaster，andtoendureanything，ratherthanthinkastheydoandliveaftertheirmanner？
　　Yes，hesaid，Ithinkthathewouldrathersufferanythingthanentertainthesefalsenotionsandliveinthismiserablemanner。
　　Imagineoncemore，Isaid，suchanonecomingsuddenlyoutofthesuntobereplacedinhisoldsituation；wouldhenotbecertaintohavehiseyesfullofdarkness？
　　Tobesure，hesaid。
　　Andiftherewereacontest，andhehadtocompeteinmeasuringtheshadowswiththeprisonerswhohadnevermovedoutoftheden，whilehissightwasstillweak，andbeforehiseyeshadbecomesteady（andthetimewhichwouldbeneededtoacquirethisnewhabitofsightmightbeveryconsiderable）wouldhenotberidiculous？Menwouldsayofhimthatuphewentanddownhecamewithouthiseyes；
　　andthatitwasbetternoteventothinkofascending；andifanyonetriedtolooseanotherandleadhimuptothelight，letthemonlycatchtheoffender，andtheywouldputhimtodeath。
　　Noquestion，hesaid。
　　Thisentireallegory，Isaid，youmaynowappend，dearGlaucon，tothepreviousargument；theprison—houseistheworldofsight，thelightofthefireisthesun，andyouwillnotmisapprehendmeifyouinterpretthejourneyupwardstobetheascentofthesoulintotheintellectualworldaccordingtomypoorbelief，which，atyourdesire，IhaveexpressedwhetherrightlyorwronglyGodknows。But，whethertrueorfalse，myopinionisthatintheworldofknowledgetheideaofgoodappearslastofall，andisseenonlywithaneffort；
　　and，whenseen，isalsoinferredtobetheuniversalauthorofallthingsbeautifulandright，parentoflightandofthelordoflightinthisvisibleworld，andtheimmediatesourceofreasonandtruthintheintellectual；andthatthisisthepoweruponwhichhewhowouldactrationally，eitherinpublicorprivatelifemusthavehiseyefixed。
　　Iagree，hesaid，asfarasIamabletounderstandyou。
　　Moreover，Isaid，youmustnotwonderthatthosewhoattaintothisbeatificvisionareunwillingtodescendtohumanaffairs；fortheirsoulsareeverhasteningintotheupperworldwheretheydesiretodwell；whichdesireoftheirsisverynatural，ifourallegorymaybetrusted。
　　Yes，verynatural。
　　Andisthereanythingsurprisinginonewhopassesfromdivinecontemplationstotheevilstateofman，misbehavinghimselfinaridiculousmanner；if，whilehiseyesareblinkingandbeforehehasbecomeaccustomedtothesurroundingdarkness，heiscompelledtofightincourtsoflaw，orinotherplaces，abouttheimagesortheshadowsofimagesofjustice，andisendeavouringtomeettheconceptionsofthosewhohaveneveryetseenabsolutejustice？
　　Anythingbutsurprising，hereplied。
　　Anyonewhohascommonsensewillrememberthatthebewildermentsoftheeyesareoftwokinds，andarisefromtwocauses，eitherfromcomingoutofthelightorfromgoingintothelight，whichistrueofthemind’seye，quiteasmuchasofthebodilyeye；andhewhoremembersthiswhenheseesanyonewhosevisionisperplexedandweak，willnotbetooreadytolaugh；hewillfirstaskwhetherthatsoulofmanhascomeoutofthebrighterlight，andisunabletoseebecauseunaccustomedtothedark，orhavingturnedfromdarknesstothedayisdazzledbyexcessoflight。Andhewillcounttheonehappyinhisconditionandstateofbeing，andhewillpitytheother；or，ifhehaveamindtolaughatthesoulwhichcomesfrombelowintothelight，therewillbemorereasoninthisthaninthelaughwhichgreetshimwhoreturnsfromaboveoutofthelightintotheden。
　　That，hesaid，isaveryjustdistinction。
　　Butthen，ifIamright，certainprofessorsofeducationmustbewrongwhentheysaythattheycanputaknowledgeintothesoulwhichwasnottherebefore，likesightintoblindeyes。
　　Theyundoubtedlysaythis，hereplied。
　　Whereas，ourargumentshowsthatthepowerandcapacityoflearningexistsinthesoulalready；andthatjustastheeyewasunabletoturnfromdarknesstolightwithoutthewholebody，sotootheinstrumentofknowledgecanonlybythemovementofthewholesoulbeturnedfromtheworldofbecomingintothatofbeing，andlearnbydegreestoendurethesightofbeing，andofthebrightestandbestofbeing，orinotherwords，ofthegood。
　　Verytrue。
　　Andmusttherenotbesomeartwhichwilleffectconversionintheeasiestandquickestmanner；notimplantingthefacultyofsight，forthatexistsalready，buthasbeenturnedinthewrongdirection，andislookingawayfromthetruth？
　　Yes，hesaid，suchanartmaybepresumed。
　　Andwhereastheotherso—calledvirtuesofthesoulseemtobeakintobodilyqualities，forevenwhentheyarenotoriginallyinnatetheycanbeimplantedlaterbyhabitandexercise，theofwisdommorethananythingelsecontainsadivineelementwhichalwaysremains，andbythisconversionisrenderedusefulandprofitable；or，ontheotherhand，hurtfulanduseless。Didyouneverobservethenarrowintelligenceflashingfromthekeeneyeofacleverrogue——howeagerheis，howclearlyhispaltrysoulseesthewaytohisend；heisthereverseofblind，buthiskeeneyesightisforcedintotheserviceofevil，andheismischievousinproportiontohiscleverness。
　　Verytrue，hesaid。
　　Butwhatiftherehadbeenacircumcisionofsuchnaturesinthedaysoftheiryouth；andtheyhadbeenseveredfromthosesensualpleasures，suchaseatinganddrinking，which，likeleadenweights，wereattachedtothemattheirbirth，andwhichdragthemdownandturnthevisionoftheirsoulsuponthethingsthatarebelow——if，Isay，theyhadbeenreleasedfromtheseimpedimentsandturnedintheoppositedirection，theverysamefacultyinthemwouldhaveseenthetruthaskeenlyastheyseewhattheireyesareturnedtonow。
　　Verylikely。
　　Yes，Isaid；andthereisanotherthingwhichislikely。orratheranecessaryinferencefromwhathaspreceded，thatneithertheuneducatedanduninformedofthetruth，noryetthosewhonevermakeanendoftheireducation，willbeableministersofState；nottheformer，becausetheyhavenosingleaimofdutywhichistheruleofalltheiractions，privateaswellaspublic；northelatter，becausetheywillnotactatallexceptuponcompulsion，fancyingthattheyarealreadydwellingapartintheislandsoftheblest。
　　Verytrue，hereplied。
　　Then，Isaid，thebusinessofuswhoarethefoundersoftheStatewillbetocompelthebestmindstoattainthatknowledgewhichwehavealreadyshowntobethegreatestofall—theymustcontinuetoascenduntiltheyarriveatthegood；butwhentheyhaveascendedandseenenoughwemustnotallowthemtodoastheydonow。
　　Whatdoyoumean？
　　Imeanthattheyremainintheupperworld：butthismustnotbeallowed；theymustbemadetodescendagainamongtheprisonersintheden，andpartakeoftheirlaboursandhonours，whethertheyareworthhavingornot。
　　Butisnotthisunjust？hesaid；oughtwetogivethemaworselife，whentheymighthaveabetter？
　　Youhaveagainforgotten，myfriend，Isaid，theintentionofthelegislator，whodidnotaimatmakinganyoneclassintheStatehappyabovetherest；thehappinesswastobeinthewholeState，andheheldthecitizenstogetherbypersuasionandnecessity，makingthembenefactorsoftheState，andthereforebenefactorsofoneanother；tothisendhecreatedthem，nottopleasethemselves，buttobehisinstrumentsinbindinguptheState。
　　True，hesaid，Ihadforgotten。
　　Observe，Glaucon，thattherewillbenoinjusticeincompellingourphilosopherstohaveacareandprovidenceofothers；weshallexplaintothemthatinotherStates，menoftheirclassarenotobligedtoshareinthetoilsofpolitics：andthisisreasonable，fortheygrowupattheirownsweetwill，andthegovernmentwouldrathernothavethem。Beingself—taught，theycannotbeexpectedtoshowanygratitudeforaculturewhichtheyhaveneverreceived。Butwehavebroughtyouintotheworldtoberulersofthehive，kingsofyourselvesandoftheothercitizens，andhaveeducatedyoufarbetterandmoreperfectlythantheyhavebeeneducated，andyouarebetterabletoshareinthedoubleduty。Whereforeeachofyou，whenhisturncomes，mustgodowntothegeneralundergroundabode，andgetthehabitofseeinginthedark。Whenyouhaveacquiredthehabit，youwillseetenthousandtimesbetterthantheinhabitantsoftheden，andyouwillknowwhattheseveralimagesare，andwhattheyrepresent，becauseyouhaveseenthebeautifulandjustandgoodintheirtruth。AndthusourStatewhichisalsoyourswillbeareality，andnotadreamonly，andwillbeadministeredinaspiritunlikethatofotherStates，inwhichmenfightwithoneanotheraboutshadowsonlyandaredistractedinthestruggleforpower，whichintheireyesisagreatgood。WhereasthetruthisthattheStateinwhichtherulersaremostreluctanttogovernisalwaysthebestandmostquietlygoverned，andtheStateinwhichtheyaremosteager，theworst。
　　Quitetrue，hereplied。
　　Andwillourpupils，whentheyhearthis，refusetotaketheirturnatthetoilsofState，whentheyareallowedtospendthegreaterpartoftheirtimewithoneanotherintheheavenlylight？
　　Impossible，heanswered；fortheyarejustmen，andthecommandswhichweimposeuponthemarejust；therecanbenodoubtthateveryoneofthemwilltakeofficeasasternnecessity，andnotafterthefashionofourpresentrulersofState。
　　Yes，myfriend，Isaid；andthereliesthepoint。Youmustcontriveforyourfuturerulersanotherandabetterlifethanthatofaruler，andthenyoumayhaveawell—orderedState；foronlyintheStatewhichoffersthis，willtheyrulewhoaretrulyrich，notinsilverandgold，butinvirtueandwisdom，whicharethetrueblessingsoflife。Whereasiftheygototheadministrationofpublicaffairs，poorandhungeringafterthe’ownprivateadvantage，thinkingthathencetheyaretosnatchthechiefgood，ordertherecanneverbe；fortheywillbefightingaboutoffice，andthecivilanddomesticbroilswhichthusarisewillbetheruinoftherulersthemselvesandofthewholeState。
　　Mosttrue，hereplied。
　　Andtheonlylifewhichlooksdownuponthelifeofpoliticalambitionisthatoftruephilosophy。Doyouknowofanyother？
　　Indeed，Idonot，hesaid。
　　Andthosewhogovernoughtnottobeloversofthetask？For，iftheyare，therewillberivallovers，andtheywillfight。
　　Noquestion。
　　Whothenarethosewhomweshallcompeltobeguardians？SurelytheywillbethemenwhoarewisestaboutaffairsofState，andbywhomtheStateisbestadministered，andwhoatthesametimehaveotherhonoursandanotherandabetterlifethanthatofpolitics？
　　Theyarethemen，andIwillchoosethem，hereplied。
　　Andnowshallweconsiderinwhatwaysuchguardianswillbeproduced，andhowtheyaretobebroughtfromdarknesstolight，——assomearesaidtohaveascendedfromtheworldbelowtothegods？
　　Byallmeans，hereplied。
　　Theprocess，Isaid，isnottheturningoverofanoyster—shell，buttheturningroundofasoulpassingfromadaywhichislittlebetterthannighttothetruedayofbeing，thatis，theascentfrombelow，whichweaffirmtobetruephilosophy？
　　Quiteso。
　　Andshouldwenotenquirewhatsortofknowledgehasthepowerofeffectingsuchachange？
　　Certainly。
　　Whatsortofknowledgeistherewhichwoulddrawthesoulfrombecomingtobeing？Andanotherconsiderationhasjustoccurredtome：YouwillrememberthatouryoungmenaretobewarriorathletesYes，thatwassaid。
　　Thenthisnewkindofknowledgemusthaveanadditionalquality？
　　Whatquality？
　　Usefulnessinwar。
　　Yes，ifpossible。
　　Thereweretwopartsinourformerschemeofeducation，weretherenot？
　　Justso。
　　Therewasgymnasticwhichpresidedoverthegrowthanddecayofthebody，andmaythereforeberegardedashavingtodowithgenerationandcorruption？
　　True。
　　Thenthatisnottheknowledgewhichweareseekingtodiscover？No。
　　Butwhatdoyousayofmusic，whichalsoenteredtoacertainextentintoourformerscheme？
　　Music，hesaid，asyouwillremember，wasthecounterpartofgymnastic，andtrainedtheguardiansbytheinfluencesofhabit，byharmonymakingthemharmonious，byrhythmrhythmical，butnotgivingthemscience；andthewords，whetherfabulousorpossiblytrue，hadkindredelementsofrhythmandharmonyinthem。Butinmusictherewasnothingwhichtendedtothatgoodwhichyouarenowseeking。
　　Youaremostaccurate，Isaid，inyourrecollection；inmusictherecertainlywasnothingofthekind。Butwhatbranchofknowledgeisthere，mydearGlaucon，whichisofthedesirednature；
　　sincealltheusefulartswerereckonedmeanbyus？
　　Undoubtedly；andyetifmusicandgymnasticareexcluded，andtheartsarealsoexcluded，whatremains？
　　Well，Isaid，theremaybenothingleftofourspecialsubjects；andthenweshallhavetotakesomethingwhichisnotspecial，butofuniversalapplication。
　　Whatmaythatbe？
　　Asomethingwhichallartsandsciencesandintelligencesuseincommon，andwhicheveryonefirsthastolearnamongtheelementsofeducation。
　　Whatisthat？
　　Thelittlematterofdistinguishingone，two，andthree——inaword，numberandcalculation：——donotallartsandsciencesnecessarilypartakeofthem？
　　Yes。
　　Thentheartofwarpartakesofthem？
　　Tothesure。
　　ThenPalamedes，wheneverheappearsintragedy，provesAgamemnonridiculouslyunfittobeageneral。Didyouneverremarkhowhedeclaresthathehadinventednumber，andhadnumberedtheshipsandsetinarraytheranksofthearmyatTroy；whichimpliesthattheyhadneverbeennumberedbefore，andAgamemnonmustbesupposedliterallytohavebeenincapableofcountinghisownfeet——howcouldheifhewasignorantofnumber？Andifthatistrue，whatsortofgeneralmusthehavebeen？
　　Ishouldsayaverystrangeone，ifthiswasasyousay。
　　Canwedenythatawarriorshouldhaveaknowledgeofarithmetic？
　　Certainlyheshould，ifheistohavethesmallestunderstandingofmilitarytactics，orindeed，Ishouldrathersay，ifheistobeamanatall。
　　IshouldliketoknowwhetheryouhavethesamenotionwhichI
　　haveofthisstudy？
　　Whatisyournotion？
　　Itappearstometobeastudyofthekindwhichweareseeking，andwhichleadsnaturallytoreflection，butnevertohavebeenrightlyused；forthetrueuseofitissimplytodrawthesoultowardsbeing。
　　Willyouexplainyourmeaning？hesaid。
　　Iwilltry，Isaid；andIwishyouwouldsharetheenquirywithme，andsay’yes’or’no’whenIattempttodistinguishinmyownmindwhatbranchesofknowledgehavethisattractingpower，inorderthatwemayhaveclearerproofthatarithmeticis，asIsuspect，oneofthem。
　　Explain，hesaid。
　　Imeantosaythatobjectsofsenseareoftwokinds；someofthemdonotinvitethoughtbecausethesenseisanadequatejudgeofthem；whileinthecaseofotherobjectssenseissountrustworthythatfurtherenquiryisimperativelydemanded。
　　Youareclearlyreferring，hesaid，tothemannerinwhichthesensesareimposeduponbydistance，andbypaintinginlightandshade。
　　No，Isaid，thatisnotatallmymeaning。
　　Thenwhatisyourmeaning？