nearest to knowledge when we avoid, so far as possible, intercourse and communion with the body, except what is absolutely necessary, and are not filled with its nature, but keep ourselves pure from it until God himself sets us free (ἀλλὰ καθαρεύωμεν ἀπʼ αὐτοῦ, ἕως ἂν ὁ θεὸς αὐτὸς ἀπολύσῃ ἡμᾶς). (66d–67a)55 In this present life the true philosopher prepares himself for that event. He will always be eager to release and separate the soul from the body (67d). In other words ‘the