“Then, further,” said she, “just as geometricians are wont to draw inferences from their demonstrations to which they give the name ‘deductions,’ so will I add here a sort of corollary. For since men become happy by the acquisition of happiness, while happiness is very Godship, it is manifest that they become happy by the acquisition of Godship. But as by the acquisition of justice men become just, and wise by the acquisition of wisdom, so by parity of reasoning by acquiring Godship they must of necessity become gods. So every man who is happy is a god; and though in nature God is One only, yet there is nothing to hinder that very many should be gods by participation in that nature.”

“A fair conclusion, and a precious,” said I, “deduction or corollary, by whichever name thou wilt call it.”

“And yet,” said she, “not one whit fairer than this which reason persuades us to add.”

“Why, what?” said I.