Marsilio Ficino’s Platonic Theology, Volume II

17When, however, we have been led through fitting stages of character, learning, and time, we discern without distortion and judge those people blind and miserable who are deceived, preoccupied, and oppressed by the false shadows and images of this world. Nevertheless, when the soul descends from the immeasurable light of the invisible world into the dark body it must govern and move, it is buried under a new darkness contrary to its own nature and is compelled to grope blindly and stumble for a long time. Add to this that, because of so sudden and profound a change for the worse, it is compelled to remain ill for a long time. Its condition is almost that of people mocked and tormented by false images through frenzy, sleep, or intoxication. Or certainly it fares no differently from someone suddenly hurled out of the sunlight into the cavern we have described. The new darkness will be poured over it so completely that, beneath that meager light of the cave, it will either not discern at all, or only with difficulty and at last, the very shadows we have described. Besides, because of that sudden change for the worse, both its senses and its body will fall into various disorders. These teachings are drawn from Plato in the seventh book of the Republic. But let us return at last to what we laid down at the beginning.

18Rise up, I beg you, souls of mortals now immersed in bodies. You will at once find your nature above the limits of body.