“The carrying out of any human action depends upon two things⁠—to wit, will and power; if either be wanting, nothing can be accomplished. For if the will be lacking, no attempt at all is made to do what is not willed; whereas if there be no power, the will is all in vain. And so, if thou seest any man wishing to attain some end, yet utterly failing to attain it, thou canst not doubt that he lacked the power of getting what he wished for.”

“Why, certainly not; there is no denying it.”

“Canst thou, then, doubt that he whom thou seest to have accomplished what he willed had also the power to accomplish it?”

“Of course not.”

“Then, in respect of what he can accomplish a man is to be reckoned strong, in respect of what he cannot accomplish weak?”

“Granted,” said I.