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their way to their several places； forming seas； and lakes； and
rivers； and springs。 Thence they again enter the earth； some of them
making a long circuit into many lands； others going to few places
and those not distant； and again fall into Tartarus； some at a point a
good deal lower than that at which they rose； and others not much
lower； but all in some degree lower than the point of issue。 And
some burst forth again on the opposite side； and some on the same
side； and some wind round the earth with one or many folds； like the
coils of a serpent； and descend as far as they can； but always
return and fall into the lake。 The rivers on either side can descend
only to the center and no further； for to the rivers on both sides the
opposite side is a precipice。
Now these rivers are many； and mighty； and diverse； and there are
four principal ones； of which the greatest and outermost is that
called Oceanus； which flows round the earth in a circle； and in the
opposite direction flows Acheron； which passes under the earth through
desert places； into the Acherusian Lake： this is the lake to the
shores of which the souls of the many go when they are dead； and after
waiting an appointed time； which is to some a longer and to some a
shorter time； they are sent back again to be born as animals。 The
third river rises between the two； and near the place of rising
pours into a vast region of fire； and forms a lake larger than the
Mediterranean Sea； boiling with water and mud； and proceeding muddy
and turbid； and winding about the earth； comes； among other places； to
the extremities of the Acherusian Lake； but mingles not with the
waters of the lake； and after making many coils about the earth
plunges into Tartarus at a deeper level。 This is that
Pyriphlegethon； as the stream is called； which throws up jets of
fire in all sorts of places。 The fourth river goes out on the opposite
side； and falls first of all into a wild and savage region； which is
all of a dark…blue color； like lapis lazuli； and this is that river
which is called the Stygian River； and falls into and forms the Lake
Styx； and after falling into the lake and receiving strange powers
in the waters； passes under the earth； winding round in the opposite
direction to Pyriphlegethon； and meeting in the Acherusian Lake from
the opposite side。 And the water of this river too mingles with no
other； but flows round in a circle and falls into Tartarus over
against Pyriphlegethon； and the name of this river； as the poet
says； is Cocytus。
Such is the name of the other world； and when the dead arrive at the
place to which the genius of each severally conveys them； first of all
they have sentence passed upon them； as they have lived well and
piously or not。 And those who appear to have lived neither well nor
ill； go to the river Acheron； and mount such conveyances as they can
get； and are carried in them to the lake； and there they dwell and
are purified of their evil deeds； and suffer the penalty of the wrongs
which they have done to others； and are absolved； and receive the
rewards of their good deeds according to their deserts。 But those
who appear to be incurable by reason of the greatness of their
crimes…who have committed many and terrible deeds of sacrilege；
murders foul and violent； or the like…such are hurled into Tartarus；
which is their suitable destiny； and they never come out。 Those
again who have committed crimes； which； although great； are not
unpardonable…who in a moment of anger； for example； have done violence
to a father or mother； and have repented for the remainder of their
lives； or who have taken the life of another under like extenuating
circumstances…these are plunged into Tartarus； the pains of which they
are compelled to undergo for a year； but at the end of the year the
wave casts them forth…mere homicides by way of Cocytus； parricides and
matricides by Pyriphlegethon…and they are borne to the Acherusian
Lake； and there they lift up their voices and call upon the victims
whom they have slain or wronged； to have pity on them； and to
receive them； and to let them come out of the river into the lake。 And
if they prevail； then they come forth and cease from their troubles；
but if not； they are carried back again into Tartarus and from
thence into the rivers unceasingly； until they obtain mercy from those
whom they have wronged： for that is the sentence inflicted upon them
by their judges。 Those also who are remarkable for having led holy
lives are released from this earthly prison； and go to their pure home
which is above； and dwell in the purer earth； and those who have
duly purified themselves with philosophy live henceforth altogether
without the body； in mansions fairer far than these； which may not
be described； and of which the time would fail me to tell。
Wherefore； Simmias； seeing all these things； what ought not we to do
in order to obtain virtue and wisdom in this life？ Fair is the
prize； and the hope great。
I do not mean to affirm that the description which I have given of
the soul and her mansions is exactly true…a man of sense ought
hardly to say that。 But I do say that； inasmuch as the soul is shown
to be immortal； he may venture to think； not improperly or unworthily；
that something of the kind is true。 The venture is a glorious one； and
he ought to comfort himself with words like these； which is the reason
why lengthen out the tale。 Wherefore； I say； let a man be of good
cheer about his soul； who has cast away the pleasures and ornaments of
the body as alien to him； and rather hurtful in their effects； and has
followed after the pleasures of knowledge in this life； who has
adorned the soul in her own proper jewels； which are temperance； and
justice； and courage； and nobility； and truth…in these arrayed she
is ready to go on her journey to the world below； when her time comes。
You； Simmias and Cebes； and all other men； will depart at some time or
other。 Me already； as the tragic poet would say； the voice of fate
calls。 Soon I must drink the poison； and I think that I had better
repair to the bath first； in order that the women may not have the
trouble of washing my body after I am dead。
When he had done speaking； Crito said： And have you any commands for
us； Socrates…anything to say about your children； or any other
matter in which we can serve you？
Nothing particular； he said： only； as I have always told you； I
would have you look to yourselves； that is a service which you may
always be doing to me and mine as well as to yourselves。 And you
need not make professions； for if you take no thought for
yourselves； and walk not according to the precepts which I have
given you； not now for the first time； the warmth of your
professions will be