For
there is nothing which men love but the good. Is there anything?'
'Certainly, I should say, that there is nothing.' 'Then,' she said, 'the
simple truth is, that men love the good.' 'Yes,' I said. 'To which must
be added that they love the possession of the good?' 'Yes, that must be
added.' 'And not only the possession, but the everlasting possession of
the good?' 'That must be added too.' 'Then love,' she said, 'may be
described generally as the love of the everlasting possession of the good?'
'That is most true.'
'Then if this be the nature of love, can you tell me further,' she said,
'what is the manner of the pursuit? what are they doing who show all this
eagerness and heat which is called love? and what is the object which they
have in view? Answer me.' 'Nay, Diotima,' I replied, 'if I had known, I
should not have wondered at your wisdom, neither should I have come to
learn from you about this very matter.' 'Well,' she said, 'I will teach
you:--The object which they have in view is birth in beauty, whether of
body or soul.
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