PHAEDO - We shall be very glad if you will.

SOCRATES - I suggest, then, that we begin by agreeing, if we are able to
do so, that the gods have given the earth to man for his use.

PHAEDO - Surely that seems to be true.

SOCRATES - I am glad that you think favorably of it, but that is not
sufficient if we are to reason upon it, because that upon which we found
our argument must be what we accept as absolute truth.

PHAEDO - I think the earth was made for mankind, but if in our
conversation something should also seem true, and yet contradictory to
that, I know not what I should think.

SOCRATES - Let us, then, think of something else: The earth is at any
rate surely for the use of some beings. The mighty Atlas would never
sustain it upon his broad shoulders if it did nobody good.

PHAEDO - That, at least, is certain, Socrates.

SOCRATES - And it must be for beings who can make use of it and enjoy
it.

PHAEDO - That also is true.

SOCRATES - And beings which can use and enjoy the earth must be living
beings.

PHAEDO - Nobody will deny that.