1We may.

2Then now I think you will have no difficulty in understanding my meaning when I asked the question whether the end of anything would be that which could not be accomplished, or not so well accomplished, by any other thing?

3I understand your meaning, he said, and assent.

4And that to which an end is appointed has also an excellence? Need I ask again whether the eye has an end?

5It has.

6And has not the eye an excellence?

7Yes.

8And the ear has an end and an excellence also?

9True.

10And the same is true of all other things; they have each of them an end and a special excellence?

11That is so.

12Well, and can the eyes fulfil their end if they are wanting in their own proper excellence and have a defect instead?

13How can they, he said, if they are blind and cannot see?

14You mean to say, if they have lost their proper excellence, which is sight; but I have not arrived at that point yet. I would rather ask the question more generally, and only enquire whether the things which fulfil their ends fulfil them by their own proper excellence, and fail of fulfilling them by their own defect?

15Certainly, he replied.

16I might say the same of the ears; when deprived of their own proper excellence they cannot fulfil their end?

17True.

18And the same observation will apply to all other things?

19I agree.

20Well; and has not the soul an end which nothing else can fulfil? for example, to superintend and command and deliberate and the like. Are not these functions proper to the soul, and can they rightly be assigned to any other?

21To no other.

22And is not life to be reckoned among the ends of the soul?

23Assuredly, he said.

24And has not the soul an excellence also?

25Yes.