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The description of the axis as a spindle, and of the heavenly

bodies as forming a whole, partly arises out of the attempt to

connect the motions of the heavenly bodies with the mythological

image of the web, or weaving of the Fates. The giving of the

lots, the weaving of them, and the making of them irreversible,

which are ascribed to the three Fates-Lachesis, Clotho, Atropos,

are obviously derived from their names. The element of chance in

human life is indicated by the order of the lots. But chance,

however adverse, may be overcome by the wisdom of man, if he

knows how to choose aright; there is a worse enemy to man than

chance; this enemy is himself. He who was moderately fortunate in

the number of the lot-even the very last comer-might have a good

life if he chose with wisdom. And as Plato does not like to make

an assertion which is unproven, he more than confirms this

statement a few sentences afterwards by the example of Odysseus,

who chose last.