The soul, O men of Greece, is not immortal in itself, but mortal; yet the same soul is able also not to die. For it dies and is dissolved together with the body if it does not know the truth; but it rises again at last, at the consummation of the world, together with the body, receiving death by way of punishment in immortality. But again it does not die, even if it be dissolved for a time, having attained the knowledge of God. For by itself it is darkness, and there is nothing luminous in it. And this then is what was said: "The darkness comprehends not the light." For the soul did not itself save the spirit, but was saved by it, and the light comprehended the darkness. Truly the Logos is the light of God, but darkness is the ignorant soul. For this reason, when it dwells alone, it inclines downward toward matter, dying together with the flesh; but having gained as its consort the divine spirit, it is not without help.