symposium   

called poets, but have other names; only that portion of the art which

is separated off from the rest, and is concerned with music and metre,

is termed poetry, and they who possess poetry in this sense of the

word are called poets." "Very true," I said. "And the same holds of

love. For you may say generally that all desire of good and

happiness is only the great and subtle power of love; but they who are

drawn towards him by any other path, whether the path of

money-making or gymnastics or philosophy, are not called lovers -the

name of the whole is appropriated to those whose affection takes one

form only-they alone are said to love, or to be lovers." "I dare say,"

I replied, "that you are right." "Yes," she added, "and you hear

people say that lovers are seeking for their other half; but I say

that they are seeking neither for the half of themselves, nor for

the whole, unless the half or the whole be also a good. And they

will cut off their own hands and feet and cast them away, if they

are evil; for they love not what is their own, unless perchance

there be some one who calls what belongs to him the good, and what

belongs to another the evil. 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."