148

Logiv IV. 154

ther without the other is good; yet the life of wisdom without pleasure is inifinitely better than a life of pleasure without wisdom. "So now again an argument has shown us, as at the outset of the discussion, that the Good is not to be sough in the unmixed life but in the mixed." (61B) This is confused enough; but the confusion increases as he goes on to ask what mixture is to be preferred. We may hope that in the blend the good qualities may be heightened. "to the gods, then, O Protarchus let us offer the libation-prayer as we perform the mingling, whether Dionysys or Hephestus or whatever one of the gods has been appointed to receive this honor at the blending: 'By all means.' 'So now just as if we were cup-bearers, there stand before us fonts. Of honey might one guess that of pleasure to be, but that of intellect, sobering and wine-less, austere and wholesome as to be of water. These we must stand ready to do but [prettiest?] to be wise." (61 BC). After going