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Once more then, O my friend, we have alighted upon an easy

question-whether the soul has these three principles or not?

An easy question! Nay, rather, Socrates, the proverb holds that

hard is the good.

Very true, I said; and I do not think that the method which we

are employing is at all adequate to the accurate solution of this

question; the true method is another and a longer one. Still we

may arrive at a solution not below the level of the previous

enquiry.

May we not be satisfied with that? he said;-under the

circumstances, I am quite content.

I too, I replied, shall be extremely well satisfied.

Then faint not in pursuing the speculation, he said.