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portentous natures。 And if he is sceptical about them； and would
fain reduce them one after another to the rules of probability； this
sort of crude philosophy will take up a great deal of time。 Now I have
no leisure for such enquiries； shall I tell you why？ I must first know
myself； as the Delphian inscription says； to be curious about that
which is not my concern； while I am still in ignorance of my own self；
would be ridiculous。 And therefore I bid farewell to all this； the
common opinion is enough for me。 For； as I was saying； I want to
know not about this； but about myself： am I a monster more complicated
and swollen with passion than the serpent Typho； or a creature of a
gentler and simpler sort； to whom Nature has given a diviner and
lowlier destiny？ But let me ask you； friend： have we not reached the
plane…tree to which you were conducting us？
Phaedr。 Yes； this is the tree。
Soc。 By Here； a fair resting…place； full of summer sounds and
scents。 Here is this lofty and spreading plane…tree； and the agnus
cast us high and clustering； in the fullest blossom and the greatest
fragrance； and the stream which flows beneath the plane…tree is
deliciously cold to the feet。 Judging from the ornaments and images；
this must be a spot sacred to Achelous and the Nymphs。 How
delightful is the breeze：…so very sweet； and there is a sound in the
air shrill and summerlike which makes answer to the chorus of the
cicadae。 But the greatest charm of all is the grass； like a pillow
gently sloping to the head。 My dear Phaedrus； you have been an
admirable guide。
Phaedr。 What an incomprehensible being you are； Socrates： when you
are in the country； as you say； you really are like some stranger
who is led about by a guide。 Do you ever cross the border？ I rather
think that you never venture even outside the gates。
Soc。 Very true； my good friend； and I hope that you will excuse me
when you hear the reason； which is； that I am a lover of knowledge；
and the men who dwell in the city are my teachers； and not the trees
or the country。 Though I do indeed believe that you have found a spell
with which to draw me out of the city into the country； like a
hungry cow before whom a bough or a bunch of fruit is waved。 For
only hold up before me in like manner a book； and you may lead me
all round Attica； and over the wide world。 And now having arrived； I
intend to lie down； and do you choose any posture in which you can
read best。 Begin。
Phaedr。 Listen。 You know how matters stand with me； and how； as I
conceive； this affair may be arranged for the advantage of both of us。
And I maintain that I ought not to fail in my suit； because I am not
your lover： for lovers repent of the kindnesses which they have
shown when their passion ceases； but to the non…lovers who are free
and not under any compulsion； no time of repentance ever comes； for
they confer their benefits according to the measure of their
ability； in the way which is most conducive to their own interest。
Then again； lovers consider how by reason of their love they have
neglected their own concerns and rendered service to others： and
when to these benefits conferred they add on the troubles which they
have endured； they think that they have long ago made to the beloved a
very ample return。 But the non…lover has no such tormenting
recollections； he has never neglected his affairs or quarrelled with
his relations； he has no troubles to add up or excuse to invent； and
being well rid of all these evils； why should he not freely do what
will gratify the beloved？
If you say that the lover is more to be esteemed； because his love
is thought to be greater； for he is willing to say and do what is
hateful to other men； in order to please his beloved；…that； if true；
is only a proof that he will prefer any future love to his present；
and will injure his old love at the pleasure of the new。 And how； in a
matter of such infinite importance； can a man be right in trusting
himself to one who is afflicted with a malady which no experienced
person would attempt to cure； for the patient himself admits that he
is not in his right mind； and acknowledges that he is wrong in his
mind； but says that he is unable to control himself？ And if he came to
his right mind； would he ever imagine that the desires were good which
he conceived when in his wrong mind？ Once more； there are many more
non…lovers than lovers； and if you choose the best of the lovers；
you will not have many to choose from； but if from the non…lovers； the
choice will be larger； and you will be far more likely to find among
them a person who is worthy of your friendship。 If public opinion be
your dread； and you would avoid reproach； in all probability the
lover； who is always thinking that other men are as emulous of him
as he is of them； will boast to some one of his successes； and make
a show of them openly in the pride of his heart；…he wants others to
know that his labour has not been lost； but the non…lover is more
his own master； and is desirous of solid good； and not of the
opinion of mankind。 Again； the lover may be generally noted or seen
following the beloved （this is his regular occupation）； and whenever
they are observed to exchange two words they are supposed to meet
about some affair of love either past or in contemplation； but when
non…lovers meet； no one asks the reason why； because people know
that talking to another is natural； whether friendship or mere
pleasure be the motive。
Once more； if you fear the fickleness of friendship； consider that
in any other case a quarrel might be a mutual calamity； but now；
when you have given up what is most precious to you； you will be the
greater loser； and therefore； you will have more reason in being
afraid of the lover； for his vexations are many； and he is always
fancying that every one is leagued against him。 Wherefore also he
debars his beloved from society； he will not have you intimate with
the wealthy； lest they should exceed him in wealth； or with men of
education； lest they should be his superiors in understanding； and
he is equally afraid of anybody's influence who has any other
advantage over himself。 If he can persuade you to break with them； you
are left without friend in the world； or if； out of a regard to your
own interest； you have more sense than to comply with his desire；
you will have to quarrel with him。 But those who are non…lovers； and
whose success in love is the reward of their merit； will not be
jealous of the companions of their beloved； and will rather hate those
who refuse to