Then would be clearly seen that we did but love
and desire the good because of the evil, and as the remedy of the
evil, which was the disease; but if there had been no disease, there
would have been no need of a remedy. Is not this the nature of the
good-to be loved by us who are placed between the two, because of
the evil? but there is no use in the good for its own sake.
I suppose not.
Then the final principle of friendship, in which all other
friendships terminated, those, I mean, which are relatively dear and
for the sake of something else, is of another and a different nature
from them. For they are called dear because of another dear or friend.
But with the true friend or dear, the case is quite the reverse; for
that is proved to be dear because of the hated, and if the hated
were away it would be no longer dear.
Very true, he replied: at any rate not if our present view holds
good.
But, oh! will you tell me, I said, whether if evil were to perish,
we should hunger any more, or thirst any more, or have any similar
desire? Or may we suppose that hunger will remain while men and
animals remain, but not so as to be hurtful? And the same of thirst
and the other desires,-that they will remain, but will not be evil
because evil has perished? Or rather shall I say, that to ask what
either will be then or will not be is ridiculous, for who knows?
This we do know, that in our present condition hunger may injure us,
and may also benefit us:-Is not that true?
Yes.
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