Commentary on the First Alcibiades of Plato (Cambridge, University Library, MS Kk.5.27)

are ecstatic. For ecstasy is without imagination original: "ἀφαντασίαστος", and therefore imagination is dissolved, as it is something contrary to it. Since we have mentioned the Delphic inscription, "Know yourself," one must know that it was not written in front of the temple for no reason. But because he saw all those arriving there either asking about children, as Laius original: "Λάιος" did, or about rule, as Cylon original: "Κύλων" did, or about wars, as Croesus original: "Κροῖσος" did, but no one taking account of himself, according to that Megarian saying, for this reason it was written: to care for oneself first and to know oneself, and then the other things. And through the command, he revealed what was commanded, that is, that man is a rational soul. For he says, "Know yourself." He said this to the cognitive soul. For the body does not know, nor does the compound according to the body. And the vegetative original: "φυτική" does not know. But someone might say that if not this one, then the irrational one does. But he is not speaking about this one. For he added "yourself"; and the irrational part does not know itself, for it does not turn back upon itself, but only the rational part does. But even the celestial bodies both know and know themselves, as they turn back; but the "Know yourself" does not befit them either. Out of ignorance...