Yet let me ask you one more question in order to illustrate my meaning: Is
not a brother to be regarded essentially as a brother of something?
Certainly, he replied.
That is, of a brother or sister?
Yes, he said.
And now, said Socrates, I will ask about Love:--Is Love of something or of
nothing?
Of something, surely, he replied.
Keep in mind what this is, and tell me what I want to know--whether Love
desires that of which love is.
Yes, surely.
And does he possess, or does he not possess, that which he loves and
desires?
Probably not, I should say.
Nay, replied Socrates, I would have you consider whether 'necessarily' is
not rather the word. The inference that he who desires something is in
want of something, and that he who desires nothing is in want of nothing,
is in my judgment, Agathon, absolutely and necessarily true. What do you
think?
I agree with you, said Agathon.
Very good. Would he who is great, desire to be great, or he who is strong,
desire to be strong?
That would be inconsistent with our previous admissions.
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