We may compare the soul to a chariot, with a pair of winded horses and a driver. In the souls of the gods, the horses and the drivers are entirely good; in other souls, only partially so, one of the horses excellent, the other vicious. The business, therefore, of the driver is extremely difficult and troublesome. . .
But if, being unable to elevate itself to the necessary height, it altogether fails of seeing these realities, and being weighed down by vice and oblivion, loses its wings and falls to the earth, it enters into and animates some Body . . . that which has seen most enters into the body of a person who will become a lover of wisdom . . .the next in rank into that of a monarch who reigns according to law, or a warrior, or a man of talents for command . . .the ninth, into a despot and usurper. And in all these different fortunes, they who conduct themselves justly will obtain next time a more eligible lot; they who conduct themselves unjustly, a worse. — Plato, Phadrus