I deny it, but this their power proceedeth not from forces but from
weakness. For they can do evil, which they could not do if they could
have remained in the performance of that which is good. Which
possibility declareth more evidently that they can do nothing. For if,
as we concluded a little before, evil is nothing, since they can only do
evil, it is manifest that the wicked can do nothing." "It is most
manifest." "And that thou mayest understand what the force of this power
is; we determined a little before that there is nothing more powerful
than the Sovereign Goodness." "It is true," quoth I. "But He cannot do
evil." "No." "Is there any then," quoth she, "that think that men can do
all things?" "No man, except he be mad, thinketh so." "But yet men can
do evil." "I would to God they could not," quoth I. "Since therefore he
that can only do good, can do all things, and they who can do evil,
cannot do all things, it is manifest that they which can do evil are
less potent. Moreover, we have proved that all power is to be accounted
among those things which are to be wished for, and that all such things
have reference to goodness, as to the very height of their nature. But
the possibility of committing wickedness cannot have reference to
goodness. Wherefore it is not to be wished for. Yet all power is to be
wished for; and consequently it is manifest, possibility of evil is no
power. By all which the power of the good and the undoubted infirmity of
evil appeareth. And it is manifest that the sentence of Plato is true:
that only wise men can do that which they desire, and that the wicked
men practise indeed what they list, but cannot perform what they would.
For they do what they list, thinking to obtain the good which they
desire by those things which cause them delight; but they obtain it not,
because shameful action cannot arrive to happiness.[146]

[144] The whole of this and of the following chapter is a paraphrase of
Plato's _Gorgias_.

[145] Cf. Virgil, _Aen._ xii. 764.

[146] Cf. Plato, _Gorgias_, 468, 469; _Alcibiades I._ 134 c.

II.

Quos uides sedere celsos solii culmine reges
Purpura claros nitente saeptos tristibus armis
Ore toruo comminantes rabie cordis anhelos,
Detrahat si quis superbis uani tegmina cultus,
Iam uidebit intus artas dominos ferre catenas. 5
Hinc enim libido uersat auidis corda uenenis,
Hin